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KfeosA &mj(STO5S*?'T>is -UM J l uw» ~oj 
fvory in the House of Anna and Joachim 

By Marie Josephine. New 

York: P. O'Shea. A very well printed book 
of pp. 250, 12mo. 

We hardly know how to venture a 
Criticism on this work. It strikes us that 
Miss Hemmenway's works will be appreci- 
ated only some years hence, just as Mother 
Juliana's Revelations are appreciated now 
far more than in her own day, hundreds of 
years ago. We have no hesitation in saying 
that Marie Josephine is the highest gifted 
Catholic poetess of our times. In point 
of talent and genius she is far above our fa- 
vorite, Adelaide Proctor. But she needs 
practicalness. She must come down to us. 
Enthusiastic, fervent, honest, earnest, she 
writes with her mini fixed in the object be- 
fore her, and forgets entirely the people for 
whom she writes. Were we allowed to make 
a bold comparison , we would compare her 
to the mellifluous St. Bernard as regards the 
contemplation of the Object before her; but, 
then, she lacks the. talent of writing for the 
People, a talent so well displayed in that 
sweet Doctor's Writings — The History of her 
Conversion to the Catholic Church, is both 
wonderful and very natural. Admiration 
of, and love for, our Blessed Lady, the Vir- 
gin Mother of Jesus Christ, which feeling 
works in the heart of many a non-Catholic 
less honest and resolute than she has proven 
hersel*. It is impossible for us to give a 
Literary JVbtice of the Rosa Immaculata. 
It must be read with a fervent heart, and a 
mind both pure and scholarly. We hope the 
editors of the Catholic World will give us" 
not a " Notice," but an article on Miss Hem- 
menway's Works. One of the ablest con- 
tributors to the World said to us in 1865: 
** Don't you think the book ('* The Mystical 
Rose") evinces uncommon talent?" We fall 
back without modifying our remarks, on the 
opinion we expressed about Rosa Mystica 
in 1865. 




Rosa Immaculata, 



OR 



The Tower of Ivory, 



IN THE 



J§ou0e of 2lnna anb loarljtm. 



" IN THAT PAY SHALL THE BUD OF THE LORD BE IN MAGNIFICENCE." 

ISAIAH. 

" O MY DOVE ! IN THE CLEFTS OF THE ROCK, IN THE PLACES OF 
THE WALL, SHOW ME THY FACE." SOLOMON. 

" DRAW ME AND WE WILL RUN AFTER THEE IN THE ODOR OF THY 
OINTMENTS." SOLOMON. 

" Recordare, Virgo Mater , in conspectu Dei, ut loquaris pro nobis 
bona.'''' — Missale Romanum. 

" Tota Pulchra es } Maria ! Et macula non est in te." 



BY 

4 .£-, 



Marie Josephine. 

NEW YORK: 
P. O'SHEA, 27 BARCLAY STREET, 

1867. 



TSlRll 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year IS66, 

BY ABBY MARIA HEMENWAY, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
District of Vermont. 



ftfje Mtav parents 



OF 



S) 




*\ 



APPEOBATIONS. 



*->~4^M-* 

Burlington, Yt., January 4, 18G7. 

Miss Marie Josephine H. : 

I have read with much interest your new work in honor of 
Mary, the Rosa Immaculata. I willingly approve of its publi- 
cation, and hope it may have a very large circulation. 

•£« LOUIS, 

Bishop of Burlington, Yt. 



Cincinnati, January 11, 1867. 

We feel honored in adding our name to that of the Rt. 
Rev. Bishop of Burlington, in recommending to all classes of 
readers, Rosa Immaculata, a second volume to Rosa Mystica, 
by the same gifted convert authoress. 

■£■ J B. PURCELL, 

Archbishop of Cincinnati. 



®l)e J3ear parents of iltarn. 

Beyond the Cison's silver wave, 

And on the sacred Hill, 
"Where God the sweetest pastures gave, 

And all was flowery, cool, and still, 

Once lived the noblest and the tenderest sire 

That ever blessed the hearth ; 
Whose charities, whose prayers, whose long desire 

Was crowned by Mary's birth. 

And the kind matron of his righteous house 

The virtues all combined 
Of her great ancestors, dear spouse ! 

In her sweet heart enshrined. 

And if we measure by the fruit the tree, 

And by its rays the sun, 
WTiat must the greatness of these great saints be, 

Whose peaceful life so run 1 

To them God gave the centre of His heart on earth, 

The magnet of His love, 
The Virgin who His sole Begotten Son gave birth, 

His one white human dove 1 



12s" VOCATION.* 



" Virgin OF God, beautiful above all women ! Thou in whom 
are all the hopes of life and of virtue. Mother of beautiful love 
and holy hope, hasten and appear. Come, beloved of the Lord. 
Already the winter has passed, and the flowers appear in the land. 
Show us thy face, and let our ears hear thy voice. How sweet 
thy voice ! how brilliant thy face ! Thine eyes are limpid as the 
dove's, and thy cheeks encrimsoned with beauty! Thy graces 
and thy virtues are, in the midst of our desert, like the sweet 
aroma of incense and myrrh, and of all sweet perfumes. Yes. thou 
art all beautiful. 0. the beloved of God ! Thou art all beautiful 
and there is no spot in thee. Come, then our only one. the most 

perfect of creatures. Come. glorious Mary! "We believe 

that thou hast received all grace, Virgin Mother of Christ ! Sur- 
round us with thy celestial influences, which, as a paradise of 
delights, are loaded with the most beautiful flowers and excellent 
fruits of grace and virtue. TTe beseech thee to be our patroness. 
.... Keep us ever in thy memory, that we may glorify ourselves 
in thee, and in the divine canticles celebrate the victory of thy 
virtues and thine imperishable mysteries. " 

* St. Methodius, bishup of Tyre. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



Rosa Immaculata, or vol. ii. of the Mystical Rose : a book that 
may appear, at first, should have preceded its predecessor, but 
may be found a legitimate and catholic successor. We have been 
desired to write an introduction; but who may read needs not, 
and who may not read, hath not need, and we will be brief. It 
will be readily apparent unto the reader, vol. i., or Rosa Mystica, is 
but an appropriate presentation of the outlines of a series — a sort 
of laying down at first of a poetical map of the life of the Blessed 
Virgin ; and that a world-map — of the Blessed Virgin's world — or 
on a world-map scale. Rosa Immaculata is the first section-map, 
commencing back at the white beginning, and moving onward, 
leaving nothing untraced, discovered in this immaculate country, 
covering the space of the first fifteen years and a little more. The 
author inclines, we at once recognize, to the older and more ardent 
traditions. Doubtless to a poet, and one converted to our holy 
faith by Mary, the most mystical and seraphic-hearted old saints 
have never written any thing too good, too high, or too wonderful, 
concerning, or of, their incomparable Queen; and there is nothing 
too marvellous in hearing the rustle of an angel's wing bringing 
in supper to the Virgin of the Incarnation, or the soft fall of her 
immaculate footsteps on the sanctuarv floor of the Holies. The 



Vlll 



distrust has never entered into her heart that there can be any 
thing imagined too beautiful or angel-surrounded for the Mother of 
God. The style is less labored than Volume I. ; yet we do not 
know as unappropriately ; it is the country of youth, and such a 
free, pure, simple, fervent childhood and youth ! Says the author : 
" Rosa Mystica was written as a labor of mystical love, and we took 
all the time for it that we wished, and saw not beyond. By the 
grace of God and the sweet love of Mary, we are a Catholic — the 
highest and dearest privilege in heaven or earth, and we cannot 
forbear taking up the dear olden labor that led into the one 
Sovereign Fold anew, and, as a child now of the faith, 'ancient 
and ever new' in its consequent developments and more tender 
detail. "We have anxieties, however, for this so fresh production, 
written out, from the first twenty or thirty pages, entire within 
the year, and for the most part during the first months of a sore 
bereavement, working for the Heavenly Mother to ease our sorrow 
for the earthly one ; — and it is born more of the heart than of the 
head, and we have not perhaps pruned it as we would in a stronger 
day. We may mistake in giving so early publication, and if so, 
now must lean upon the indulgence of those whose delight it is to 
serve Mary much and fast. We only regret it is not better — not 
having tried, and feel somewhat, to quote the words of another, 
" If we have failed, it is glorious enough to have made the 
attempt;", and moreover, "there are inexpressible joys in labor 
done before God and for God, vast horizons whose perspectives 
give an insight into eternal splendors.'* We are paid, and only 
repent our flower is not fairer and more matured — any thing should 
be so good one gives the Blessed Virgin — the best they can 
possibly produce — and yet we are so impatient to see it on our 
Mother's shrine for Christmas, we have forwarded it for Mary, 



IX 



beseeching her immaculate charity may so cover deficiency and 
defect as to accept our little offering of devotion." Thus far from 
the author. "We are also informed fuller traditional notes were in 
part prepared, but as the work was already in press before com- 
pleted, and there being a press for time, they have been, and per- 
haps as well, much retrenched, as the traditions inwoven or 
built upon are presumed to be well known among Catholic readers. 
"We have no more to add, save we are expected to date the book 
for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Virgin 
Mother. 



Burlington, Vt., December 8, 1866. 



Immaculate! Immaculate! 

" O Mother ! I could weep for mirth, 

Joy fills my heart so fast ! 
My soul to-day is heaven on earth, 
0, could the transport last ! 



" I think of thee and what thou art, 

Thy majesty, thy state ; 
And I keep singing in my heart, 
Immaculate! Immaculate! 



11 The angels answer with their songs, 
Bright choirs in gleaming rows ; 
And saints flock round thy feet in throng9 
And heaven with bliss o'erflows. 

"Oil would rather, mother dear, 
Thou shouldst be what thou art, 
Than sit where thou dost, ! so near 
Unto the Sacred Heart. 

"Oil would forfeit all for thee, 
Rather than thou shouldst miss 
One jewel from thy majesty, 
One glory from thy bliss. 

" Conceived, conceived Immaculate ! 
0, what a joy for thee I 
Conceived, conceived Immaculate ! 
0, greater joy for me I 

"I think of thee and what thou art, 
Thy majesty, thy state, 
And I keep singing in my heart, 
Immaculate ! Immaculate '." — Faber. 



lurris (Sburnca. 

A Tower of Ivory in a field I 

And it is a moon-night. 
The Tower is fairer than the moon, 

Has drawn down all her light. 

And more ; the Tower is as gold 

Or silver in the sun ; 
Celestial lights its angles strike, 

And through its ivories run. 

A field within, uncrossed, save by 

The sandal of a God — 
Nor hand within hath thrust to pluck 

A lily from the sod. 

"Turris Ebttrxea," angels not without spot, 
Abashed around thee wait, 
Above us loom, white Tower of our Faith, 
Mary Immaculate I 



Speculum Justitice. 

A Mirror on the earth, 

For brightness as the morn. 
Or the pure, open heavens beneath, 

TThose beams drop to adorn, 

Or 'neath the softly lambent sky, 
. A-tween the earth and air, 
And as the angels wandered by 
They always tarried there. 

The Purity Above gazed down, 
'T was whiter then than snow, 

The charity of God looked in 
And set it all a-glow. 

Admiring seraphs o'er it bent ; 

It caught the beauty of each face— 
"Mtrkor of Justice,'' yet did wait, 

Its clearness sought more grace. 

It longed to see the unbegotten Brow, 
To mirror in its breast the "Word, 

The Sun of Justice could but look within ; 
It held its pictured Lord. 



CONTENTS. 



CHATTER 

I. Charity . 

II. First Immaculate Conception Day 

III. Expectation op Anna . 

IV. Vigil op Immaculate Nativity 
V. Immaculate Nativity . 

VI. Nine Days Old 

VII. Eighty Days Old 

VIII. Anna's Purification 

IX. The Seven Joys op Anna 

X. Holy Lessons 

XI. Industry 

XII. Holy Little Teacher 

XIII. Continued Joys 

XIV. By the "Well op Nazareth 
XV. From Nazareth to Jerusalem 

XVI. Immaculate Presentation 

XVII. Mary and her Companions 

XVIII. Nazareth without Mary 

XIX. Moriah with Mary 

XX. Looking in at Nazareth . 

XXI. Mary and Midnight 

XXII. Morning and Mary 

XXIII. Almahhood 

XXIV. First Visit to Mary 
XXV. Immaculate Embroiderer 

XXVI. Admirabilis Spinner 

XXVII. Other Parental Visits 



PAGE 

1 
4 

14 

16 

19 

25 

32 

39 

44 

66 

73 

75 

79 

82 

86 

91 

101 

115 

118 

123 

124 

128 

132 

137 

139 

143 

147 



XiV 



CIIAPTEB 




PAGE 


XXVIII. 


Almah Brides ... 


. 149 


XXIX. 


Last of the Seven 


152 


XXX. 


Other Companions 


. 173 


XXXI. 


Supper of our Mother . 


181 


XXXII. 


Last Visits .... 


183 


XXXIII. 


Drawing towa.rd Abraham's Bosom 


13(3 


XXXIV. 


Last Years .... 


195 


XXXV. 


Eleventh Anniversary at Nazareth . 


198 


XXXVI. 


Under the "Wings of the Angels . 


. 199 


XXXVII. 


Immaculate Espousals 


209 


XXXVIII. 


Mart and Nazareth Again 


. 214 


XXXIX. 


Mednight-Noon .... 


229 


XL. 


Incarnation-Months . 


. 236 



ftosa Jmmacttlato. 



-♦♦♦- 



CHAPTER I. 

CHARITY. 

" BEING IKTO MY STOREHOUSE ALL MY TITHES AND PBOVE ME, WHEREWITHAL 
I WILL POUB THEE OUT A BLESSING TILL THEEE SHALL NOT BE ROOM TO CON- 
TAIN." 

Scene — Nazareth, or the "hill of frankincense" whereon stood the 
holy house of Joachim and Anna, the dear parents of Mary. 

"Figure to yourself the fine and extensive pasturages that sur- 
round the abode of St. Joachim and St. Anna . . . Represent 
to yourself an ancient Jewish abode, in which every thing recalls 
the pastoral and patriarchal manners of the ancestors of the Mes- 
siah."* 

Approach after the harvesting-time ; Behold Joachim and Anna 
dividing their income, f 

Joachim. 

THE first part for the altar : we will make 
This a full third. His part may not under-run 
Who giveth all. Heap the sacrifice-third. 

* Mater Admirabilis. 

f "Fulbert of Chartres, Serm. II., on the birth of the Virgin, 
teaches expressly that St. Joachim and St. Anna had an income 
1 



2 Rosa Immacclata. 

Ann*a. 
This for the wayfarer and for the poor — 

Joachim. 

Should not lack — want on the Hill of Nazareth 
Were a shame, dear spouse. The res: you will store. 

Anna. 

Our own little third ! 

Joachim. 

Enough, prudent housewife, 
Enough ! we are but two. 

Axxa. 

[WwBk a sigh.) 

But two ! Enough ! 
And wherewithal we can now and then part 
To our heirs ? 

Joachim. 

And to the childless the poor — 

Anna. 

Are twice their heirs. No one around must want 
This year. 

or property, which they divided into three parts. If vro mar 
: the Protevangelion of St Ja^ies. :L:s income was large.'' 
— Boon 



Charity. 

Joachim. 

For twenty years, good spouse, we have 
Divided thus. 

Anna. 

All but, good Joachim, 
Your heap grows higher for the sacrifice, 
Each time. 

Joachim. 

Were I less generous in my youth ? 
Ah, well ! as our locks ripen we should see 
More and yet more to whom belongeth all ; — ■ 
How good it is to give most unto God. 

Anna. 

Good ! Oh, it is only good to have, to give : 
And twice-told meet for us. The little cot 
Where we have dwelt so tranquilly these score 
Of years will soon stand empty on the hill ; 
We have no nobler fruit to offer up, 
Than the poor growth of our flocks and fields, 
And so we press that measure down, and run 
It o'er for God ; — for God. 

Joachim. 

Amen ! Amen ! 



Rosa Immacclata. 



CHAPTER II. 

FIRST IMMACULATE CONCEPTION* DAT. 

" Ucgina sine labe original! concepta, ora pro nobis/* 

PART I. 

Joachim.* 

"THEEE SHALL COME FOETH A EOT) OUT OF TTTE EOOT OF JESSE, A?TD A 
FLO"ffi"EB 6TTAT.L ELSE TP OFT OF HL5 EOOT." — ISAIAH XL 1. 

Scene — Saint Joachim at prayer upon the mountain. 

LONG had he knelt in prayer, that man of God j 
His soul was sorrowful and full. He thought, 
Had thought before this hour, the hope was dead, 
And grace with the dead hope had reckoned won 
And poured upon its grave ; he sure content 
With what Jehovah, great, withheld, as gave ; 
But when a neighbor mocked him in the gates 
This morn, and called him but a barren stalk, 
A withered root, a fruitless branch in Israel, 
The old man felt a sudden — Xo, not sring — 

* Joachim signifies preparation of the L . 



First Immaculate Conception Day. 

The scorner could not reach his good heart so ; 

But what upon the altar of his hope 

A thousand times had bled, his whole soul moved, 

And straightway fled unto his prayer-place up — 

Far up the mountain side — a little cleft 

Within the hills, from all the hamlet stirs 

OfF-shut and still. 'A very hermit's shrine ?' 

Not so ; it shut out all the world beside, 

But overlooked the cottage, where his Anna 

In the early morning spun. Dear prayer-place ! 

Within the cleft an ancient laurel stood ; 

Beneath the tree a pillar rose, of stone, 

Where he was wont, still in the summer morns, 

To climb and pray. But winter winds are out 

To-day ; it is of storms the month ; cold rains 

Sift slowly over the deserted hills, 

His kine are in the manger stalled, the sheep 

Are in their fold ; but he, poor, scoffed old man, 

Struggling as one conscious of his struggles not, 

So greater far the struggle in the soul, 

Than 'gainst the winds his slippery pathway up, 

Too late ! too late ! had not yet learned, and knelt 

Beside the dear old stone, told simply out — 

As any poor child beaten in the street, 

Might to his father come — at first his wrongs 

And sorrows unto God — as almost crushed ; 



Rosa Immacitlata. 

Then, as he longer prayed, he could not stay 

His prayers — Isaiah's visions, Daniel's dreams, 

Messiah's face, in on his stragglings shone — 

( Years and signs ripen fast, and David's sons 

So few ! But, Lord, my vine ! Oh ! I could wait 

A thousand years, Messiah, from my loins 

To look from Abraham's Bo»om down and see ! 

When I might hope, no human hope ! Lord ! Lord ! 

What hath thy servant done ? I cannot live 

Reproached ! my gray hairs mocked ! last of my race ! 

By-word unto my tribe ; a house that first 

For the Messiah looked; Oh, take me " where 

The wicked cease, the disappointed rest !" ' 

He laid his head upon the wet stone down, 

And as he ceased an angel by him stood. 

' Thy prayer is heard, and Anna, thy chaste spouse, 

In full time from this favored day shall bear 

The Heir of Joy, the Child of Grace, — a sign 

To thee, go to the vineyard down, thy wife 

Shall meet thee with this message in the gates. 

Look down upon thy house !' 

And he looked down, 
The storm had paused ; a rainbow arches over — 
Not far up in the sky, but touching earth 
On either side — his co:. And as he looked, 
The angel, he was gone. And Joachim, 



First Immaculate Conception Day. 

Wondering much, hasted as a young man down 

Unto his house ; and ever he drew near, 

Lo, the sweetly serene matron of his home, 

Up from her garden coming, to the gates ! 

And never, in the first fair bloom of youth, 

Had she appeared so lovely in his eyes. 

He would have clasped her in his reverent arms, 

Or bowed at her feet, so much of promise 

In her softly heaven-lighted face she brought, 

So much of glory had the angel left 

With her, but waited as he had been told, 

The sign ; nor waited, can it hardly yet 

Be wrote ; for straight her happy hands toward him 

She held — and told him — 

What may in our next, 
A chapter after this be shown ; thus on, 
As these good saints may help. So for us pray ! 

PART II. 

Anna.* 

"SAINT ANNA, SPOUSE OF JOACHIM, PEAT FOE US." 

LOW fell the waning rains, I sure could go — 
did not rain too fast when a new prayer 



SLC 
It 



* Anna signifies grace, or gracious. 



8 Rosa Immaculata. 

Was waiting 'neath the laurel to ascend, 
Where I am wont to pray.' 

' Her laurel tree 
Had she ?' She had — her trysting-place with heaven, 
Chosen for spot, perhaps, whereon it grew — 
A nook the shadiest of her garden-lanes, 
Or for that silent sympathy in all 
We sometimes trace, where marriage meets design. 
Dear, good old, glorious pair, standing within 
The hallowed morning of a second spring, 
The very cast of each bland face grown like 
The smile of mellow richness, one, so same; 
The gentle cadenced voice, one happy chord ; 
Two souls but duplicates, showing how fair, 
Perfect and fair, that sacrament complete. 
But lo, irradiated Anna's words 
We lose. She even now hath told, like prayer 
Like angel, and like revelation poured 
Into her husband's happy, hearkening ears, 
And now is telling when from off her knees 
She rose, she saw she in a rainbow stood ; 
And happy, hearkening Joachim, he stands 
As one who hears divining half — and yet, 
Divining not ; perhaps of Abraham 
And Isaac thinks. His Sarah stands beside, 
Esteemed as Sarah precious in his eyes; 



First Immaculate Conception Day. 9 

And yet he would have blushed to have once thought 

Himself worthy in the future world to stand 

Beside that father of the patriarchs ; 

So poor in their own eyes do great saints look. 

Oh man ! about to be unconscious raised 

By grace, than glorious old Abraham 

A thousand heights, magnificent above ; 

But as it was, he only deeper smiled 

And said, God's blessed word is always true, — 

And Anna answered, the day is like spring ! 

A summer dropped in Chisleau, month of storms ; 

Said Joachim, great is the Lord; and good/ 

Anna replied — and Joachim hastes to say, 

Ever the morning after such promise wane, 

Make for the priests a banquet, good spouse ; 

Let us a present to the temple send. 

[Anna made up the banquet and it was generous.] 

(Joachim to his servant Eleazer.) 

Gather to ye ten of the finest lambs* 



" In the tribes of Israel there was a rich man named Joachim, 
who on festival days offered to God sacrifices twice as great as 
tho rest. An angel appearing to him told him he should have 
issue, and he instantly promised to offer the child to God. When 
this occurred Joachim was in the wilderness, and descending to his 
1* 



lo Rosa Immaculata. 

And take with the banquet Anna provides. 
[And the servant of Joachim did as bade.] 

PART 111. 
AFTERNOON. 

The angel had not left ; 
It did his angel-heart a good to see 
The joy out-cropping from their happy looks 
And ways. The cheerful Anna tried to spin, 
Losing her threads in mystic wonderings, 
Drifted into a happy year from now ; 
And other angels came by her to stand — 
By Joachim who toiled, scarce can be told, 
So cheerily he beat the barley for the mill ; 
Had then the curtain, shutting off that world 
That touches us unseen on every side, 



house, he sent to the temple teu sheep for a sacrifice, and a ban- 
quet for the priests, ancients and people. Eustachius Hexamerojt, 
published by Leo Atlatius, by an author called James — Father 
Joseph Ignatius Vallejo's note to Binet's Life of St. Joachim and 
St. Anne. Henschenus and Papebroke (March 20, 11 Num. 207), 
with no better grounds than a simple conjecture, as they admit, 
suppose St. Joachim to have had no goods but a few sheep of 
which he was himself the shepherd." — Yallejo. 



First Immaculate Conception Day. u 

Been drawn, a house of angels might been seen 
Bearing a waiting grace in each bright palm. 



PART IV. 
EVENING. 

"SAINT ANNA, QUEEN OF ANGELS, PEAT FOE US." 

The sweet changed winter day 
Had died — died like a summer afternoon, 
And yet the lingering angels do not go. 
Oh, they shall never go. It is a house 
Of angels evermore, who stoop to see 
In these poor walls such choice predestinate 
They cannot go ! I wonder if they know 
His cradle too shall rock upon these floors ; 
That most of all His humble days with man, 
He too, shall sojourn here ? I wonder, 
What halos from these lowly rafters seem 
To hang ready for superhuman brows 
Not born, these angels see, so cannot go ? 
O house of angels evermore ! for lo, 
When He hath gone cross-laden up the Mount, 
Who hastens now to come, and she, th* being pure 
This night conceived, hath by Him stood and shared 
His cup — and retributive wrath shall sweep 



12 Rosa Immaculata. 

This land of vineyards and of groves, alarmed 

For this dear house when infidelic hordes 

Would wreak their desecrating ruth, arise 

Ye may in holy fear, yet in majesty 

Of th? angelic might, to bear it in your zeal 

Where bland Italia's radiantly reverent skies 

In constant beauty glow, and nestled last, 

Where fair Loretto's purpled roses woo, 

It shall remain a shrine of power and prayer, 

Where fainting pilgrims rapt shall kneel to find 

The blessing of the Virgin and her Son. 

PART V. 
HOLY IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MIDNIGHT. 

The storm, as wont with winter, came not back. 

Soft stars peered through the upper blue, 

Within the rocks a dove was heard to coo, 

A nightingale in vesper trill, 

Amid the groves of Nazareth hill, 

And sweeter than the dove, or bird, 

The angel murmur softly heard, 

" Blessings of the breast, blessings of the womb," 

The Rose of Jesse soon shall bloom ; 

No wintry wind shall brush this cot, 

Forever blessed be this spot ! 



First Immaculate Conception Day. 13 

A child conceived that knows no stain, 

This darkened world shall light again : 

And floating from that chosen hill, 

A blessing seems the earth to fill ; 

Across the calm-waved, hallowed sea, — 

The tranquil bed of Galilee, — 

Through neighboring plains of Jericho 

The mystic peace seems first to flow ; 

Along the swollen Jordan's shore 

The lions ceased their wonted roar, 

The jackall slacked its nightly cry, 

The bandit could not brook so sweet a sky, 

As floating from that chosen hill 

A blessing seemed the earth to fill, 

A child conceived that knows no stain, 

This darkened world shall light again. 

" Blessings of the breast, blessings of the womb," 

The Rose of Jesse soon shall bloom. 

" Saint Anna, rod of Jesse-, pray for us." 
" Saint Anna, fruitful tree, pray for us." 
"Saint Anna, fruit-bearing vine, pray for us" 

— Litany of St. Anna 



14 Rosa Immaculata. 

Immaculate? 

" TUBEIS EBOIXEA OKA, PEO KOBIS I" 1 

Would He who fair Eve formed as pure as snow 
His chosen Mother make less purely glow ? 

How could the Mother of the Infinite 

Walk in a robe than Adam's bride less white ? 

It might not, could not be, and so all Heaven poured 
Its graces on the destined mother of its Lord ; 

And God, to fit her to her royal state, 
His Mother moulds immaculate. 

" Tower of Ivory, pray for us /" 



CHAPTER III. 

EXPECTATION OF ANNA. 

" CATS S. L.ETJE. OEA PBO NOBI5. M 



OEVER since that other morning blest, 
The flower-footed months, following each, 
Have come as nine princesses bearing gifts. 
At first the meadow-grasses made a show 



Expectation of Anna. i 

Of spires two for one, the old rhohendron 

In Joachim's field, a century-tree decayed, 

That had not bloomed some summers past, had flowers. 

Even the children of the hamlet were 

Not late, to in the hedges find the nests, 

Than other summers twice as filled. Blest spot ! 

And every bird, with twice as bright a wing 

As other summer-bird, sang twice as sweet : 

His sheaves, the clusterage of the vine, the figs 

Upon the branch, as drew the harvest on, 

The doting peasant counted o'er, and said 

Within his thought, no wonder such a year, 

The barren sings that God hath visited ; — 

Poor human understanding ! how alway like 

We find, to credit nature and not God ! 

Only the pious Anna and her spouse, 

Wandered into the twice-blessed fields, perceived 

The very trees rejoiced with them ; and thus 

The mother bearing babe immaculate, 

Never so happy in her life, waited her time. 



16 Rosa Immaculata. 



CHAPTER IV. 

VIGIL OF IMMACULATE NATIVITY. 

"Stella fHatutina, ora pro nobis." 

Behold Anna sitting in the doorway of the little house at Naza- 
reth, and Joachim walking in the fields a little distant, praying out 
under the stars like Isaac — " And he was gone forth to meditate 
in the fields, the day being now well spent." 

ANNA is meditating on the threshold ; 
And it is something that brings the picture 
Of her sweet youth back — one dear word, 
One hallowed word that she seems turning over 
And over, caressingly within her heart, 
Calls such a tender light into her eyes, 
We leave good Joachim to his precious prayers, — 
And he is praying for the mother and the child, 
We think — to come and sit at Anna's feet. 

Anna. 

The name my father called my gentle mother by !* 

* " Nathan by his wife Mary had three daughters, the first o f 
whom was called Mary, like her mother, the second Sobe, and the 
third Anne, the glorious mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary." — De 
fide orthodoxa, lib. iv. chap. xv. Binet. 



Vigil of Immaculate Nativity. 17 

OURSELF. 

I wonder if she has named the precious babe ? 
I think that mothers mostly name their babes 
Before they're born. How can they wait ? 

Anna. 

He called my gentle mother by ! I had 
But five sweet years with her : yet, as a star 
Hangs over some still lake, the memory 
Of my fair mother's face smiles o'er my heart. 
She was so pious ! Peace to her valiant soul ! 
How calm she went forth from the holy gates 
When she had kissed and left her favorite child.* 
I saw my precious mother never more, 
And so that picture I have kept. — I came, — 
Dear Bethlehem, where I was born, — to find 
A grave ; but Joachim with me returned. 
O, God had given me so good a spouse ! 
And I grew comforted in Nazareth. 
O Mary, and O Bethlehem, two names 
That link within my heart so sweet, I love 
To keep them bright. 

* "St. Anne had been brought up in the temple." — Tradition. 



18 Rosa Immaculata. 

Ourself. 

And there she paused, saying, 
Taking it but a moment after up, 
Dreamily, sweetly, "Mary?" Anna had 
A beautiful way of saying Mary ! 
Nor more she said, only — 

Anna. 

Nine months to-night, 
I never thought : nine months to-morrow knew, — 
Yes, yes, how good God is to those who wait. 

[And Anna sat in silence and Joachim walked in silence.] 

The expectant eve shone twice as bright, 
The harvest moon shed twice her light ; 
What marvel brighter beamed the moon, 
When even summer came more soon ? 
'Twere marvel more if moon could hold 
In her full horn th' floodings of her gold, 
Nor pour it as one regal shower 
Of brightness o'er such blissful hour. 

The eye of night shone twice as bright, 
The harvest moon shed twice her light, 



Immaculate Nativity. 19 

And sweet instead of spot, a star* 
Glowed on her silver disc afar ; — 
What marvel, bright, a virgin gem 
New-pearled the moon's sweet diadem ? 
It were a marvel greater far 
Could moon wear spot instead of star, 
When a new Eve is born below 
Should not her sky some token show? 
And star and moon and night twice glows 
To usher in the Virgin Rose. 



CHAPTER V. 
immaculate nativity. 

" WHO IS SHE THAT COMETH FOBTH AS THE MOllNING KISING ?" — CANTICLES vi. 9. 

"Saint 2lnna, fHotljer of tt)e i)irgin fllarg, pran 

for n0." 

S the Christ-years are the first gems in the cycles 
grand of time, 

There are fifteen ere the days are diamonds that as pearl- 
years shine : 



* " The night preceding, the moon appeared without her usual 
spot, a bright star sparkling on her disk, and in the morning the 
sun shone with twofold splendor." — Note to G-entiluccl 




20 Rosa Immaculata. 

Two conceptions, one immaculate, one divine, one from an 

earth-sod 
Uprising white to wait that other coming down with God. 
These years are as a chain of pearls between : — Thus a 

silver dawn, 
Scarcely less than sunrise, touched the Nazareth hill, touched 

the happy lawn 
Where the cot of Joachim, blessed patriarch ! in its blind- 
ness stood 
Serene, touched the olden vintage and the little olive wood, 
Touched the cottage, cottage dear before ! dearer still this 

dearest morn : 
Hasten up, O sun, to see in Anna's cot what babe is 

born ; — 
Rapt in smile, tender, supernatural, on the breast of Anna, 
Blissful, tender Anna, and the wing of Gabriel as a banner 
Drapes and arches bed and breast and babe ; — over in the air, 

as crown 
To our picture, hovering are the cherubs, whether they came 

down 
With the angels first to Anna, or alighted fresh from Heaven 
This morn, I have not been told ; but the cherubs they are 

seven. 
O, our group of beauty ! Joachim kneeling, offering up to Gcd 
By the couch-side of his Anna, the lily offspring of their 

blood. 



Immaculate Nativity. 21 

O happiest parent-pair ! O holy couch where such an heir 

was born ! 
O long, sad, tear-drenched earth, look up ! thou hast another 

Eden morn ! 
O gracious Anna, more than all of Judah's mothers blest, 
The one white flower of human birth is cradled on thy 

breast : 
Little White Rose of Heaven ! its face is like an angel's face ! 
The heavenly hair ! our lady-babe's sweet eyes, O cherub 

child of grace ! 
Her breath is as the incense ! her lips a flower-flake ! 
My harp is beauty-burdened now, I cannot sing without a 

break ! — 

sweet Babe-Mother of my Lord, 

1 fear to touch the sounding chord; — 
Ah, I have ever sighed in vain 

To wake for thee one equal strain, 
And lingering worship still the precious feet 
Where I but take more than I give that's sweet • 

Ah, one might paint the purple of the sunset hues, 

Or gather up the pureness of the morning dews, 

Or picture the vermilion of the flower 

That sprang but from an earthly bower, 

Yet it were more, and higher than an angel-art 

To limn the fairness of that face or heart ; 



22 Rosa Immaculata. 

I trace, and wonder not th' admiring while, 

The gentle glories of that smile, — 

From unbeginning ages flows 

The light that suns the Nazareth Rose. 

There's another Babe in the Bosom of the Father lies, 

The Unbegotten Heir, the magnet of the skies, 

A Picture of God, as "unreckoned ages roll," 

A likeness of the Father-face and soul, — 

The brightness of the Father exprest, — 

Pictured in His own pellucid breast. 

Faber,* poet-priest, tells you, sweetest, how — 
The Image, or the Shadow of that brow 
Unbeginning ages crown 
To His own breast looking down. — 

And the Babe looks up, as the Father breathes above, 
And the fruitage, is the " Many-gifted Dove;" 

And the fruitage of the Three — 

Of the triple Unity. — 
Creation, and a race, 
Lost and ruined, raised by grace, 
And lifted up through fire and blood, 
Till humanity inbosoms God. 

Ever-satisfied Trinity, 

See the link from their eternity: — 

* Faber's Blessed Sacrament. 



Immaculate Nativity. 23 

From unbeginning ages, flows 

The light that suns the Nazareth Rose. 

Hasten up, O sun, bring the softest of thy gold, lower thy 

crown and haste this morn ; 
The Flower of the Patriarchs, the Virgin Mother of a God, 

is born. 
Now the generous sun is coming, very flooding, and yet 

veiling all the burning in his light. 
Doth he see purity more shining than his beaming, — purity 
more bright ? 
And the lark mistakes this casement for the Heavenly 

gate: 
He saw and could not pass the Rose Immaculate. 

And the brown bee at the lattice, on the blossoms of the 

balm, drops his flower, drops his hum ; 
Taking in honey faster from the breath of Anna's Rose, or 

the fragrancies that come 
From her act of love, — offering of completeness, first sweets 

of her life-bloom, 
Perfect perfume, as it goes out up to God, embalming ever- 
more that room. 
And the patriarchs in limbus catch a fragrant thrill 
As it floats in swiftness far above the Nazareth hill. 



24 Rosa Immaculata. 

And that other Babe, in the bosom of the Father, leaps for 
love, 

And the Father rains His smile down on His daughter, dear- 
est daughter ! and the Dove, 

That <c Many-gifted Dove," is yearning for His Spouse. O 
babe, the very Heavens' desire, 

And angels, dropped in serried ranks round all the Nazareth 
hills, bend to admire. 

Can there be eyes so blind as yet refuse 

The beautv of this soul to see — a mother God could choose, 

His House of Gold, who tabernacles in the sun, His Ivory 

Tower, 
And bow not with a happier, holier homage down, and bless 

God for this hour ? 
O Babe that sees and in the Bosom of the Father leaps, let 

not that heart be mine ; 
O Virgin Mother of my God to be, I kiss thy lily feet and 

catch a thrill, — 'twas something like divine ! 
Amen ! My adoration it is God's, my homage it is thine, 
And thine my love, next unto Him, 
Babe-Queen of Seraphim. 



Nine Days Old. ?$ 



CHAPTER VI. 

NINE DAYS OLD.* 

"WOMEN VIRGINIS MARIA, MEL IN ORE, MELOS IN AURE, JITBILUM IN COBDE" — 
THB NAME OF MARY 18 HONEY IN THE MOUTH, MELODY IN THE EARS, JOY IN THE 
HEART.— ST. BENARD. 

" Scmcta ftlavia, ova pro nobis." 

SAINT ANNA, Saint Joachim, their hearts illumed, 
Sweet understood that God had willed to visit 
Israel, and the fair child unto them born 
A chosen one, and heir of benediction, saw. 
Dear saints, their incomparable infant 
They think to name. Let us imagine 
And represent unto ourselves their cot — 
In this peaceful room, the holy cradle 
Wherein reposes Anna's babe, new-born 
And waiting for a name. Joachim bends 
Over the precious cradle, giving out odors 
More than spikenard,f caressingly, dear sire ! 



* It was the custom of the Israelites to make a feast upon the 
ninth day after the birth, and give the child its name. 

•j- " The cradles of the rich were perfumed with spikenard, myrrh, 
and aloes." — Orsini. 
2 



26 Rosa Immaculata. 

And Anna, rejoicing mother, lifts her bud 

Of life unto her own maternal breast 

And drinks in the sweetness of the little face. 

A beautiful bird hath flown to thy breast, 

A snowy dove from Paradise ; what name ? what name ? 
There's a light as stars round its spotless crest, 

A glow that was dropped from the skies whence it came, 

As it shot from the thought of God, 

Another new-made soul, 
The crown of angels touched the sod 

As it flashed to its beautiful goal — 

Down, down to the one dear immaculate heart 

That waits in the will of God — 
Whiter than snow, or the flowers that start 

From the lily's virginal rod — 

To grow as a cell of wax snow-white, 

With a sweetness from God perfumed, 
As a crystal over light, 

By love more than by light illumed. 

What name for the snow-white dove, 
For the fairest human bird, 



Nine Days Old. 27 

Come to nest in thy breast of love ! 
We wait the beautiful word. 

"Daughter ! Mother ! Bride !" sure she was named — 
She with soul fairer than the cherubim — 

Ere the world was lost, ere the world was framed ; — 
She with heart warmer than the seraphim. 

She was named, and the pearl must drop to them, 
To their hearts, to their lips ; for its falling, listen ! 

It will drop for the ages, earth and Heaven, a gem : 
It will drop, ever next the name of God to glisten. 

We think that it has dropped ere this, to rest 
In Anna's filial, as maternal breast. 
But hush, my reverent harp-strings, 
Mother Anna sings. 



Anna. 

I fold, I feed her at my breast, 

I act a mother's part ; 
Yet ever, as my darling's prest, 

The tides of homage start. 

Her name should be, by royal right, 
Our Lady* and our Queen ; 



* The name of Mary is said to signify, Our Lady, Mistress, Sove- 



28 Rosa Immaculata. 

As rich, as chaste, as sunrise light ; 

Our Mistress and our Sovereign mean. 

Joachim. 

(As gazing down a vista of the ages.) 

Has that dove of the ark, bearing the olive-branch, peace, 

Come back to our deluge-swept world again ? 
Will the wild storm-wail of the tempest cease, 

As our sweet little harbinger flies o'er the main ? 
Oh, the sea it is dark and the signs are bad ! 

And a thousand shivered masts are out ! 
And ever anon some craft — how sad ! 

Is drawn to the maelstrom's fatal spout. 

There's a boat that touches the outer circle now — 
Now it cuts the inner curve with its prow 
And spins round the fatal whirl — 
The sails of its mast in fright unfurl — 
A downward tunnel of hissing foam ! thrice more, 
And then ! the boatman stands in his peril sore : 
As ever an arrow, round and round it will come ; 
Twice more — my God ! are his white lips dumb ? 



reign, a sea filled with bitterness, or a dark and stormy sea lit by a 
star, or Star of the Sea, and the Illuminator or Illuminatress. 



Nine Days Old. 29 

Once more ! A shriek ! But 'twas a prayer, and I see 
Through a break in the cloud, our Star, of the Sea ! 
And that bark that hung over the mouth of hell, 
Is drawn by its charm from the treacherous spell 
The hope of life's manner, let her name be 
One that shall mirror the star of the sea. 

O parents so pious, call her Mary, rich name, 
Your Mary, our Mary, God's Mary ! 
It is only in sweetness, however it vary, 
In sweetness or shining, but Mary the same. 
Luminous name ! luminous name ! 
Call her Mary, rich name. 

Call her Mary the Illuminator, 

Set to shine in a region of night, 
Call her Mary, vase of the Mediator, 

Transparent vase of the Infinite. 
Immaculate vase of the Mediator, 
Mary the Illuminator. 

KH ay a sea of bitterness this vase fill ? 

fy ye demons and men pour in as ye will. 

^ ecoliect "the scent of the rose remains there still," 

y ea and sweeter the longer it stands on the Heavenly Hill 

And yet there is one sweet figure I found 
At the Eucharist-feet of mv Lord ; — 



30 Rosa Lmmaculata. 

It dropped in my thought 'neath the altar-ground, 
Was born as I worshipped the Word, — 

One emblem of Mary, bright mother, so sweet, 
O, another so dear, I never may see ; 

No doubt it has fallen to crowds at His feet, 
Yet as freshly it fell, and new-born to me. 

Over the altar, or sweeter upon, 
As nearer its Lord 'neath His vails, 

A little lamp shines over the stone, 
That burns when the vesper prevails. 

Wherever 'the Blessed with us abides, 
O, never you rise for it too soon, — 

It burns in the breath of the matin- tides, 
It burns in the lap of noon. 

And that sentinel star by my Lord, 

It is only Mary to me ; 
The mother a-near the crib of the Word ; — 

But the Mother and Babe I see. 

In a flood more chaste than softened gold, 

Where the sweet fires never fail, 
The handmaid of the Lord behold, 

As she stands in her crystal vail. 



Nine Days Old. 31 

And I am content, most content, 

To recollect her there, 
At the feet of the Sacrament, 

That sweetest place for prayer. 

And that one sweet figure I found 

At the Eucharist-feet of my Lord, 
That dropped in my thought near the altar-ground 

Was born as I worshipped the Word j 

That emblem of Mary, bright Mother, so sweet, 

O, another so dear, I never may see ! 
That no doubt has fallen to crowds at His feet, 

Yet that fell as freshly, and new-born to me. 

Since then, O never that watcher I see, 

That whispers my Lord is there, 
But the lambent fires dilate for me 

As my heart drifts toward in prayer ; 

As the fires neath her crystal grow, 
Nor moon, nor star wears such glow, 
So tender, so something nigh to divine, 
As my Mary-lamp at the shrine; 
And oft as this blessed light I see, 
It is but the Heart of Mary to me. 



32 Rosa Immaculata. 

Sweet Illuminatrix 
Of the crib and crucifix ! 
Call her Mary,* the Illuminator, 

For the dear lamp at the shrine ; 
Luminous star of the Mediator, 
Day-spring of the Divine. 
Mary, the Illuminator : 
Call her Mary, Holy Mary. 
Mary — Holy Mary, 
Lamp of Jesus, 
Or a pro nobis. 



CHAPTER VII. 

EIGHTY DAYS OLD. 

'go ye into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with 

HYMNS." 

WHAT beast for my Anna, a mother 
And the babe on her breast lily-bright ? 
Said Joachim the happy, blest father ! 
As he walked in the breaking of light, 



* And they called her Mary : " simply to write the name of 

Mary beautifies the style." — Orsini. 



Eighty Days Old. 33 

Through his pastures, the broad fields of his fathers. 

What beast shall I choose ? The brown mule, Sure-foot, 

Or, and he paused, or the ass-foal, snow-white ? 

Kings' daughters riding white asses shall come ; — 

I '11 take the white foal for my spouse and the child, 

'Tis a bright morning to carry the babe 

To the temple, dear blossom of Judah ! 

A morning that 's beautiful ! I wonder 

If Judah, or Jacob, or Isaac, knows 

She is bom — the lily white rose of their house ? 

There are thoughts in my heart I cannot reach ; 

Beautiful ! mystical ! white-browed and smiling, 

And born out of time; not the Messiah, 

But, O Lord, if I were not so humble ; 

Yet she, O marvellous heir of our line ! — 

But where is Asinus, the snow-white foal 

Of a mother as hoar-frost for whiteness ? 

Or, could I bridle him now whose back 

Never a rider hath known ! Will the young 

And stubborn foal of an ass, unused 

To the girth, unbroke to the saddle, 

Bear docile my treasures ? Yet it would pride 

Me to have them into Jerusalem ride 

Upon the sleek and beautiful colt Asinus. 

I find him not ; what pity ! Ah, Asinus ! 

If thou knewest the honor in store ! 
2* 



34 Rosa Immaculata. 

What sendeth him up, the colt, through a grove 
Of mulberry near, docile and ready ? 
How stately he cometh, and sure, methinks ; 
The hand of Joachim too honest for guile, 
Even so innocent, outstretching the bridle, 
He cometh still. Ah, favored Asinus, 
Thy master will give thee this morn to a queen. 
Thou art favored to serve her. Be bridled. 
Thou shalt live in legend, and poets shall sing 
Of thy journeys to Sion and Egypt, 
And back, and tell that you never grew old 
In the time that you served her. Just to browse 
In the sweet fields of Nazareth all the day long, 
And bear so blessed and fair a rider, 
Spared the lot of drudges, happy Asinus! 

(Joachim goes with the colt toward the house.) 

* Here,' saith the father, e in this part of the hedge, 
Or just in the cleft of the rock above — 

As an altar above — is a sacrifice 
For the child ; a nest I have watched for a month. 
Many doves I 've seen in the clefts of the rocks ; 
None as these snow-white. It grieves me to take ; 
But ye will die for her, sweet Mary's doves !' 

(Coming unawares upon flowers in the hedge.) 

* Scarlet, purple, golden ! all the colors 



Eighty Days Old. 

In Noah's sign — a rainbow in the hedge ; 
It 's strange, in winter, though, so many flowers ! 
I will gather for the babe. They blossomed — ■ 
Perhaps they blossomed for this morning.' 

And he goes through the hedge gathering with taste 

And care, smiling at the prick of a thorn, 

Dear, great old man, father of the loveliest, 

He had an eye and a heart for flowers. 

A blossom strange could scarce have found a place 

To have put forth in the hedge around his fields, 

And he not seen ; yet took so quietly 

This joy, a casual eye had never marked. 

'Tis blessed, sure, to be so quiet, yet so fond 

Of all God's beautiful in tree or flower, 

Or living form that with bright wings beautify 

The air and — God's fair creation everywhere. 

Asinus stands looking wisely on. 
An ass is a very wise looking beast — 
Conceited, perhaps, somewhat, or wisely grave 
The figure for Rubens, sleek all his limbs, 
Covered with short, soft bristle, smooth, snowy, 
" His ears ?" belonging to an uncrossed line, 
P.ather long ; yet, none too long for an ass ! 
Just two trumpet-flowers laid back on his head ; 



33 



36 Rosa Immaculata. 

Just two white Japan lilies, the sun shining 
Down into their depths ; — waiting Asinus ! 

Meanwhile our heart is yearning for the house, 
We cannot bear to stay from Mary long. 
While Joachim picks flowers we might look in ; 
Forsooth this morn the house is gay with guests, 
Elisabeth hath come from Kebron down, 
With train of servants and of friends, forsooth, 
The house this morn is gay with holy mirth. 

Elisabeth. 
(Bending in admiration over the cradle of the little Mary.) 

There 's a rose at length on our rod 
That Jesse, our father, this while 
May ponder in Limbus and smile. 
A rose that is worthy his rod : 
Worthy, and more, 
And I almost adore ! 

O, Anna ! they told me the child, thy child 
Was the pride of the Nazareth hills ; 

Beautiful ! beautiful ! beautiful child ! 

O rather the pride of the heavenlicr hills ! 

What the babe of Eve might have been, 
Had sin not entered to Eden in ; 



Eighty Days Old. 37 

Might have been, and more 
And I almost adore ! 

Eighty days old* is the babe, I kept the count, 
And waited this morn ere I came to your mount. 
I have come, happy mother, your honors to share, 

precious the treasure ! together we'll bear 
To the temple and shrine of Jehovah the Lord, 
And pay the glad offering He asks from His word. 
Ah, Zachery, my lord, will gaze with surprise, 
Has a babe to his altar dropped out of the skies ? 

1 am sure he must go mystified on with the rite, 
While angels, enraptured, gaze down on the sight. 
O haste, let us go ! But, stay, I have brought 
To our fair little princess a mantle, inwrought 
With the device of Judah in jewels and gold; 
Let our Mary-babe drape in its regal fold. 

[Oh, bear it away ! the vesture of pride ! 

Ye angels, behold her babe-eyes turn aside ! 
From the face of the babe never wandered her look ; 

The heart of the mother divined at a glance ; 

The eyes of the saint were held as entranced, 
And forth from her casket, as dreaming, she took 

* The first-born, if a son, was presented to the Lord, and the 
mother made her offering of purification when the child was forty 
days old ; but, if a daughter, when eighty days had expired after 
the birth. 



38 Rosa Immaculata. 

A mantle, whose dye 

Was the same as the sky, 
Where the lily impearled with the silver -leafed rose, 
In a field of azure, immaculate glows. 
She placed it side by side the mantle gay; 
The scarlet kindled in the morning's lavish ray.] 

Elisabeth. 

Dear princess babe of Judah, which for you, 
King David's colors, or the Nazareth violet's hue ? 
The blue ! The blue alone the dear babe's sweet eyes drew : 
' Why wonder, sister,' Anna said, ' Why wonder, since the 

heavens are blue ?' 
" Enough ! Enough !" cried sweet Elisabeth in strange content, 
And toward the babe, as touched with silent homage, bent. 

(Joachim comes to the door with the doves in his breast, flowers in his 
hand, and hading Asinus — tethers Asinus to a post of stone.) 

And Joachim, unheark'ning, drawing nigh, 

Came in with flowers of every dye, 

And holding them before the mystic child, 

Again she culled the modest blue and smiled ; 

And so, the mother wrapped her in the heavenlier hue, 

And ere the lawns had lost the freshness of their dew, 

The little Mary, hope of Israel and ours, 

Was borne along the hedgeway daft with flowers, 



Anna's Purification. 39 

Adown the winding thyme-sweet path of Nazareth hill, 
And through the conscious glens of hill-crowned Galilee, 
Where paused the light chamois from some high cliff to see 
What it might be. — Our Little Lady's cavalcade, so simply 

grand, 
Now pressing onward to, and upward through Samaria's 

schismatic land, 
On, onward to, and through Judea's fairer plain; and all 

that day 
'Twas winter, but the road ne'er lacked for flowers their 

way. 



CHAPTER VIII. 
anna's purification. 

"saint anna, miebob of devotion, peat foe us." 

'^nj~^ WAS past ; the sacrifice of peace. They had 
-»- Unto the temple come, transported, yet serene, 
And as the babe was brought a sweetness touched 
All hearts, an aroma more than flowers, 
A little lily was offered up to God, 
An incense rose more fresh than burning breath 
Of all perfumes swung in the golden censers 



4° Rosa Immaculata. 

Of the priests. Zachery gave benediction 

Heavenlier than erst, dear heavenliest priest ! 

And sweet Elisabeth, lost in an uplift 

Of the spirit at the time, forgot to watch. 

In echo rich through colonnaded aisles 

Low dies the lingering hymn : Still Anna kneels. 

Blest spot ! the shrine where she has offered up 

The sweet thanksgivings for so dear a birth, 

How can she leave ? dear saint ! and Anna kneels, 

Here had her pure heart in her fair youth 

Been embalmed. 'Twas here th' graces that distil 

And nourish virtues in the heart she drank in, 

In her early morn, as flowers drink dews, 

Blest spot ! The chambers are but just above, 

And not afar the Holy Place. A daughter 

For the House of God, how many waiting years, 

For this, how had she longed ! Had she not vowed 

Her here, O, ever she was born ? dear babe ! 

And only brought her child again to tell 

Into the Ear that slumbers never, she was 

His at time — such time as Judah's royal maids 

Were wont to be surrendered at His shrine ; 

And — and God is asking somewhat more. 

Could she not sacrifice yet more to Him ? 

And she is answering. " How?" How could 

The Mother of the Mother of martyrs 



Anna's Purification. 41 

Answer God — her God ? Each day what pearl to give — 

Those tender child-caresses every day ; 

And Joachim, kneeling opposite, 

Lain at the feet of God in his high prayer, 

His soul has risen yet where souls lose all 

But God, yet prays with her, — then softly dropped 

To recollectedness and care — what dear care, 

Father of our little Lady — Mary's father ! 

Joachim. 

(Still upon his knees, gazing upon Anna as she continues her prayer.) 

' 'Tis worth to be a woman, a mother, 
To be ! How fervently she folds the babe, 
Finding not yet the end unto her prayer ; 
As tremulous and bright as some soft star 
Within a summer evening sky — Stars, being 
So nigh Heaven, alway tremble — The bright joy 
Goes to her brow as tremulously up, 
And forms a sort of wavering or halo there : 
And the dear babe : Her face I cannot see, 
There's shine upon the head, but the fair face 
Is lain upon the breast. Nay, just beneath ; 
She whispers to her mother's heart in prayer, 
Or prays with her.' 

And thou wert right, sweet spouse. 
O it was beautiful to be the mother 



42 Rosa Immaculata. 

Of the Blessed Virgin, was it not ? next 
Unto being her. The Rose Bush of Mary, 
Gay with her one sweet Rose Immaculate. 
" In that day shall be the bud of the Lord, 
In magnificence." O it was beautiful 
To be the mother of the Blessed Virgin ! 
What a sweet throne in heaven she must have, 
So beautifully next the Queen ! meek saint ! 
O it was almost like, — No, nothing is like 
To Mary's mystic motherhood, yet next, 
And one mother in all the hoary ages, 
Of a human un-sin-touched babe. Rejoice, 
O Anna, and clasp thy matchless treasure 
Close and lovingest ! She doth ; yet as God 
Sends down His askings to her soul, a light 
Breaks over all her face, and it is like 
The fire that flashes up from sacrifice. 

And, dear Elisabeth beside, her face 
Is in her mantle folds. I think she weeps : 
Perhaps a flickering hope as Anna, God 
Has visited, is springing in her heart, 
Perhaps, and so she asks again that son, 
Who from her tenderness out to the wild 
Ere yet shall go, and thence a desert-saint 
Ascend to herald and receive the Christ. 



Anna's Purification. 43 

The Christ, who, ever as our blessed eyes 
Behold the infant Mary, near appears. 

(Joachim and Anna on their way lack to Nazareth.) 

Anna. 
(Pressing her babe more fondly to her breast.) 

O she is mine, mine yet, these three dear years more ! 

Joachim. 
Three years ? 

Anna. 

God will so like it best, I think. 

Joachim. 

And now I know His angel dropped that seed 
Into our heart at prayer; and she is not 
As other children, Anna, we have known ; 
They who have most should render most to God. 

Anna. 

We will return her when three years come 
Unto the Lord. 

[And so they journey home.] 



44 Rosa Lvimaculata. 




CHAPTER IX. 

THE SEVEN JOYS OF ANNA. 

Immaculate infancy continued — Immaculate childhood imagined. 

"A REPRESENTATION OF THE CHILDHOOD OF MA.EY SHOULD MAKE US SENSIBLE 
OF ALL THE GOOD ODOR OF JESUS CUEIST. 1 ' 

" SAINT ANNA, i:OD OF JESSE, PEAT FOE US I" 

ND the babe grew and lovelier each day, 
Such time as sunsets tender down our hearts, 
Than when the dawn looked in to brighten Anna's Flower. 
'Twas always dawn a little earlier 
On Nazareth hill than elsewhere in Judea, 
And alway a little brighter dawn. Sunsets 
Seemed likewise to linger there. Sweet spot ' 
An ever-beautifying bud grows here. 
For " Mary's understanding, as the day 
In some fair, favored region, scarce has dawn." 
All things around at sight she seems to know. 
Now she would in her cradle lie and watch 
The even threads that Anna spun., and smile 
Back to her mother's eyes ; but never wept. 
She was not born with wail ready in the throat. 



The Seven Joys of Anna. 45 

As given to demonstrate how lovely might 
Have been unfallen man, all things went well 
With her. And the first joy that Anna had — 
To see her babe come to her arms in smile. 
It was propitious, was it not ? O smile, 
That shall in many a desolated spot 
Re-brighten earth and yet make glad the city 
Of our God, unto what shall I liken 
Thee ? The smile of Mary ! what is the smile 
Of Mary like ? Look at a rose that faces 
The east in the morning — under the bough 
At noon 'neath which the lily crept to grow 
Unseen, and there watch the sun dip his eye 
Into her cup ; see the softened glow run 
Over the white lining of the chalice — 
The delicious shiver of the lily in the sun. 
What is the smile of Mary like ? — as the smile 
Of Agnes and Cecilia, the apostle John; 
Gather and condense all saint-smiles ; distil 
All the sweetness of the saints, or catch the smile 
Of Gabriel that September morning, 
As he stood over the couch of Anna 
And the babe new-born. The smile of Mary; 
What is the smile of Mary like ? Peaceful, 
Ineffable smile of Mary ! I have 
It ! Thank God, and her ! one sinner penance 



46 Rosa Immaculata. 

Doth upon the earth and Heaven overlooks, 

Jesus on the head of His poor penitent 

Drops a smile, and the virgins that the Lamb 

Surround smile with Him — and all the angels. 

The smile of Mary, O it is between — 

A something between the luminous smile 

Of the virgins that follow the Lamb 

And the smile of Jesus. Ineffable ! 

Royal ! nearer the God-smile ! The Queen's smile ! 

The smile of the Queen leading His Virgins. 

II. 

VIOLET OF GOD. 

And the second joy that Anna had, 

To watch her spotless infant sleep ; this, too, 

Was an every-day joy, from the fair morn 

Of that fairest life ! O that first fair sleep ! 

Anna had almost feared to venture child 

So ethereal, at first, lest someway 

She might steal from her in sleep into Heaven, 

And forget to return ; then as she watched, 

Smiled in delicious joy at her poor fears ; 

And the babe smiled in sleep, and as she smiled, 

To Anna it would seem 't were sweeter thus ; 

The hidden fragrancies of that pure soul, 



The Seven Joys of Anna. 47 

Stealing so out to her. Philosophers 
Have thought that babes so late from Heaven, 
Not quite estranged, see angels, as they smile 
In dreams, and these but any common babes. 
What must the little mother of Christ see ? 

Who has not wished that they might know 
What thoughts through infant souls first flow ? 
But we have never longed to read a soul as this, 
Little Violet of God ! Dear babe of bliss ! 

God's little Violet in its tender dews, 
No other flower so white admiring Heaven views. 
" I sleep, but my heart waketh !" teach us, too, 
To sleep with God, dear Flower, as you ! 

Soft ! soft ! Anna-mother's bliss is 
Your eyelids ; soft, soft kisses ! 
Happy Anna ! earth holds not another . 
Such a spotless babe and mother ! 
Little white Violet of God, 
Perfuming all the Nazareth-sod : 
Soft ! soft ! Anna-mother's bliss is 
Your eyelids ; soft, soft kisses ! 

Anna and Joachim lived most apart, 

And yet the children would sometime come 

From the hamlet just below, and vie 



48 Rosa Immaculata. 

To see who might the cradle rock — pleasant 

And eager emulants ! We, too, would have 

Contested for such post. Ah, who would not 

The cradle of the infant Mary rock ? 

From happiest penitent, because the most 

Forgiven, showering her kisses and her tears, 

Up to the saintly priest and red cardinal — 

' The red hat might take the eye of a babe, 

Wouldn't it, eh?' I think it might Mary's, an' cloak, 

And gloves ; she could see so plain His blood. 

But to keep this cradle good a-jog, bishops 

And cardinals may rock ; confessors all, 

Have Mary's cradle rocked : saint-hearts are much 

Like mothers', after all — Anna-mother's — 

Even our Pio IXth, holiest man, might reach 

The cross-slippered foot to touch that cradle 

Would it stop. Ah, our great Father loveth 

That babe : none more than he. It is, dear babe ! 

His own little Mary Immaculate. 

And the benignest brows that so illuminate 

Whenever upon his breast his dear Lord 

In the blessed Sacrament he bears — 

As some sweet Corpus Christi morn, mid flowers, 

And lights, and acolytes, and priests, and crowds, 

Knelt — prostrate — for the glory — sweetness — joy — 

Would wear a radiance softer only, somewhat, 



The Seven Joys of Anna. 49 

As he leaned nearer the cradle of the babe — 
"Immaculate! Immaculate \" Yes, Father, 
Holy Father, all of thy children, too, see 
Her so with thee, and love thee more, who hast 
Proved most love for her. 

Rock, rock, dear children, 
We come back to you. We, too, would have been 
One of you, and Anna, careful mother 
Of the Mirror of Justice there, will give 
Each child its turn ; all look for equity 
With her — Rock, rock, O, it is beautiful 
To rock the cradle of the skies, and see 
Her smile to God in her sleep ! to gather 
Half its sanctity might straightway make a saint. 
How good is God to thee, Anna ! and can 
You, pious reader, wonder more we love 
To linger so, to gently tip that way — 
Just this way now — we love to rock the Rose, 
The mystic cradle of the little mother 
Of a God ; our little Rose-in-bud, breathing 
So fragrantly of heaven in her sleep. 

Mary is odoriferous ; 

And perfume from this cradle floats, that charms 
Our affections, so the outer world we lose, 
And bend unto the cradle closer down, 
Our conscious hand grows weak ; how dare it stir 



$o Rosa Immaculata. 

So holy ark, cradle-house of the mother 

Of our God ? but may not pause, or she may miss 

Our little care — she knows even in sleep, 

And so might grieve if we could so forget 

When she so loves such poor and little care. 

Dear mother, we will never leave undone 

Aught that is sweet that we for thee may do ; 

And all things done for thee are those most sweet. 

And it is such a joy to watch thy rest, 

Babe-princess of the skies, we can but sing. 

O when we cannot sing, let us be dumb ! 

Dumb ! dumb forevermore ! when we cannot 

For Mary write, let our poor hand forget 

Its cunning and our tongue be dumb ! Dearest 

And sufficient holy vocation, let 

Us watch all her growth, growth we can't measure, 

Understand, define, but can someway feel, 

Thank God ! Let us attend her steps ; our world 

Is brighter for Mary having in it lived. 

ill. 

And, our thrice-crowned-with-joy Anna had the joy 

Of the breast. A mother's breast is holy 

Unto her babes, and makes the mother nearer 

By so much more than all the other ties 

That blood or love may bind, it were not natural 

Or pious, could we pass unadmiring by, 



The Seven Joys of Anna. 51 

Dear pillow ! fountain, food, all that is sweet 

To babes and helplessness, never had child 

Before so known ; yet so her self-denial 

Found its birth. And so it came, one day, 

Anna bethought a tiny cup to bring 

Of goat's milk to the child — it was so fresh, — 

To try : to see her watch the pretty cup, 

And taste. She touched the cup, thus rendered grace, 

And drank ; but that same hour when Anna offered 

Her the pap, she kissed the breast and covered 

It ; and Anna knew her babe had sacrificed, 

And sighed as mother's sigh ; 'tis such a joy ! 

They so sweet learn to give is blessed more 

Than to receive. 

IV. 

What time that other children creep — 

It was a tender summer afternoon 

Upon the hills, and Anna she had brought 

Her spinning-wheel and little Mary out 

Unto a clump of fig-trees on the lawn, 

Upon the grasses to the flowers, saying, 

She may creep while I may spin. 'Tis sweet t* see 

A young child creep — the pretty feebleness ! 

'Tis a humility that takes all eyes. 

Charmed with first half-escape it stops, 



52 Rosa Immaculata. 

The little aspirant to reach, looks o'er the way, 

Rounds to a heap, puts out the dimpled hand — 

An' such a babe-glee leaps through every little ivory limb, 

Over the crowing brow and out the baby's eyes ! 

Our infant Mary might have risen up 

And walked, scarce doubt, but would she rob 

A doting mother of so pleasant joy to watch ? 

An' then, 'twere humbler sure to creep awhile, 

Like any common child ; and so she raised 

Her ever tender recollected eyes 

Unto the skies and crept unto the flowers. 

v. 

The little Mary one year old : there was 

None other so blest and happy mother 

In all dear Nazareth as Anna to-day. 

She has grown tall for a child but one year; 

Yet delicate withal as the one lily 

In her mother's pot beside the wheel 

And Anna is just longing now to see 

Her totter prettily across the floor, 

And so as answering to the gracious wish, 

Dearest daughter, from off* her little mat, 

Close to her mother's feet, as tranquilly 

She rises up as if, and it were not 

Strange thing to walk, and so her mother wished. 



The Seven Joys of Anna. 53 

With that same angel grace of a born princess 

Of the skies, something as she will one day cross 

TV floor of heaven, or that sea of glass Saint John 

Saw, drawn to the casement by the luring flowers 

And chorus of the waiting birds that call 

To see the beauty of her face looking 

From the lattice forth. Behold she standeth 

At her lattice ! looking out into the broad 

And peaceful pasturages around — dear child ! 

And up into the soft skies overspread. 

Now let us haste unto the temple up ; 

Is she not weaned ? said zealous Joachim ; 

Yes, she is weaned, yet not as other babes 

Deprived, the prudent Anna made reply, 

And children while so tender that receive 

In many ways a mother's breast, best thrive. 

We offer so, O dear delight ! our care 

For God : — and zealous Joachim was stayed. 



VI. 



Anna had ever kept one lily brought 

From dear Bethlehem, in pot of clay 

It grew, and when she spun, the lily's pot 

Stood by the busy wheel, within the floor, 

And when she did not spin, close with the wheel 



54 Rosa Immaculata. 

It hugged the wall ; in brief it was the friend, 

Or inseparable companion — beauty 

With industry wed ; and the slim stalk 

Never bore but one flower at a time. 

Perhaps 't was figurative ; for sure, our babe 

As soon as ever she could walk was drawn 

Unto the solitary lily flowering 

By the wall : just hovering o'er, behold her stand, 

Touching the snowy blossom so gently 

With her little waxen palm, and drinking 

From its pure corolla all its sweetness 

And sereneness in, dear serener self! 

God's Lily, looking at Anna's, 

O it was pretty ! and so Anna thought, 

Gracious Anna, looking on her two lilies. 

O it was joy enough for her to watch 

Each day her fairer flower, putting forth 

Each little leaf, aromatic, tender, 

Softly silent, all, all so sweet for God. 

'T is said, I think by John of Damascene, 

Till past the first serene year lapsed, and half 

The second folded down its fragrant leaf 

With that, she kept the silence of her lips 

Inviolate. Modest and recollect 

Of God, how could she haste, pure child, to speak ? 

'T is such a spell to silence learn ; yet learned, 



The Seven Joys of Anna. 55 

Yet tasted well, dear calm, while still, but scarce, 
How it envelops and seals up the soul 
With Paradise. An* Anna saw th' dear child move 
As some sweet novice in a first retreat, 
Where no jar of vain words comes in to break 
The harmonies with God, and shrinks to burst 
The dear chain of her charm, starts at the first call 
Back to the other world so good escaped, 
And fain would stay the dear Carthusian still. 
And Anna watched her peaceful child, and said 
More joy, her narrow heart for it must grow ; 
Meek saint ! O leave her yet her silent child, 
The time will come she will so yearn to hear 
The music of that voice, — as late the totter 
Of those feet upon her floor, — to it her heart 
Must grow, meek saint ! O leave her yet the strong 
And growing joy in that rich silentness ! 

The lilies grow, each perfumed by the other's breath. 

The one, but a poor perishable flower, 

Renewed each Mary-day or sabbath-tide, 

The day I'm told our little maid was born, 

Or so I think — how could it otherwise 

Have been so sweet arranged ? and did not th' Christ 

All things sweetest in an' around her arrange, 

He so fair saw, of her He would be born ? 



56 R ::-.-. I::::.-. :vi..ta. 

Ar £ Vir ■ £i", f ::.:;£ 

As Aurora and morning in the Church. - 
And the lily of the wheel never lacked a flower, 
A::£ ::.; fiirer 7!:~;r ~u:e, :":: G:£, 
Sri-:; n::, >ive if :l~e .:'.;•' by ::= E—ee—ess, 
Save as all flowers by their fragrance speak, 
Waters by their clearness, skies by their depth 
Azi brilliancy — i; G:£ speilis. ?_-; z'r.'.'.i. G:£ 
Saw silence the atmosphere of her soul, 
The sky over the garden of her heart, 
Where I know not what of virtues greWj 
Sovereignty, and holiness, and purity, 
An£ fervor, senii-s; ilieir ;d:r5 up z^-izzzz 
Un:: :hs golden door. 

AND THEVIHh JOY. 

A threefold benediction staved to fall 
Over the six, something as a Pope's crown, 
Three-tiered — a joy in Trinity : and God 
Looked to that dear cottage, down with so "pore, 
Ore-, Loving, peaceful eye," it wrapped 
His little one in so divine repose 
She never thought to speak till God would hear 
The sweet praise of her voice. When it is wrote 

* Srriria- :: :ie Je~l;£ s :-.:"::. no. 



The Seven Joys "of Anna. 57 

She lifted first her eyes to heaven, then spoke 

The precious word — "It is a mystery," 

Says one, " that we may only learn in Heaven, 

Secret of Heaven, I you respect and wait." 

'T will be one of the joys of Paradise 

To learn, another, and not reverent less, 

And it was God. And though but one sweet word, 

For preciousness more worth than all the prate 

Since Eve first said to Adam "it is good." 

Oh, sad mistake and sin ! words go so wrong 

Since. But hark — a little girl among the hills 

Of Judah speaks, the wisdom and the grace 

Of whose first word excels all that the sage 

Or orator hath rounded out to eloquence. 

Whatever, it was beautiful — that first word. 

I think 't was God : what other could so beautiful 

Have been, and that for her ? would the mother 

Of the All-beautiful offer to other first ? 

Or less than the first beautiful have offered 

First unto Him ? And so by argument, 

Must have been God, than which there is no name. 

Other babes lisp fast upon the mother-knee, 

And prattle many pretty words so free, 

It is a payment unto her who bore 

All count beyond : and mothers most will claim 

Whether it so quite talks to other ears, 



53 Rosa Immaculata. 

It says, the dear babe, mother first. 
Dear silent star of morning to His day, 
Higher than the stars she looked and led serene 
The note of praise. Never had one before, 
So said God, never one before so wanted 
God, never has one since so confessed God, 
Never had God upon the earth before 
Been so adored. With her it is first God. 
And as her yet exceeding great reward, 
The Infinite, Himself shall, so to speak, 
Abridge unto a little child and put 
His arms about her neck, and His first word 
Shall be to her, my mother. " Let the name 
Of God be praised !" 

This joy we have thought 
Was as our Father's tiara. We have the first tier 
Of the coronal seen, and to catch a note 
Beyond, as sometimes when saints die, or soar, 
As Montalbert's "Dear Elisabeth," strains burst 
Upon the ear, and rippling over all, 
One that the saint knows — to hear her sing, 
Leave the intermediate band, last to unfold, 
And turn unto the third — to hear her sing — 
But first let us imagine ourself there, 
At Anna's cottage, or her lattice-bower 
A little time before — a day would not 



The Seven Joys of Anna. 59 

Be very long — overlooking, unobserved, 
Our treasures, Anna, Mary, Joachim. 
It was the last year with Anna, on the hill ; 
The end of two years, or 

THIRD BIRTHDAY. 

The mother kept the vigil, and a sweet feast, 

Made as erst. It was nice to see how Anna, 

Good wife, could get up these very little feasts, 

So humble was the board, so small the cot. 

To-day, the wheel disbanded sat, fenced in by flowers 

Against the wall, the lily-pot conspicuous stood 

Before, and littler vases she had placed 

With sweet mignonette, jasmine buds, 

And such delicate sprays as give harmonies ; 

It so said "rest," "we environ thee/' " rest;" 

Rest, good industrious wheel, for Mary's day. 

The board was narrow, true, yet there was room ; 

And Anna had roasted the tender kid 

With herbs, spicy and choice for th' spitted flesh, 

And garnished it with doves' eggs, boiled and laid 

In little rows, or tiers, around the dish, 

Inner-ringed with thin-cut slices, golden 

And white, unto the meat, crisp, savory, 

And ready to eat ; and bits of home-bread, 

Toasted, not one bit burned, and a bottle 



6o Rosa Immaculate. 

Of rare wine, the dear Elisabeth had sent 

From Hebron down, before her babe was born, 

And Anna, frugal housewife, had reserved 

Unto this feast, and the barley crackers 

That Anna knew how to in the ashes roast, 

And make so sweet, and pitchiolas dried 

In honey — O, 't was a delicious feas: : 

Little, but good — and Mary she was there, 

Angelic child ! Her thoughtful sire had brought 

Roses from a distant hedge, the eve before, 

Where primroses, sweeter than elsewhere grew ; 

Dear child ! And did she know they came from spot 

Where Joachim kneeled, Immaculate conception morn ? 

That spot whereon the angel stood? — She smiles, 

We see, and knots them in a wreath to crown 

The basket of her grapes, for Anna's board ; 

So she would Anna help ; so she will help 

All those for love of her to ply the distaff, 

Grow the flower to deck the altar, spread the feast 

Of Holy Church, touch the seraphic brush, 

Or weave the crown of grateful song, dear help ! 

So Anna-mother instituted Marv's feast3. 

As we may love to heed when one we keep. 

One? why we could not one spare to count, 

And love to think how Anna kept them first. 

Anna and Joachim, great saints ! If less 



The Seven Joys of Anna. 61 

Of Joachim we say, 'tis simply told, 

He was not the mother, but the patriarch ; 

Yet growing gently toward the child again : 

Souls come from God a child, and as they near 

To God again so grow into the child. 

And His protecting presence while unseen, 

Is but as our good angel alway by. 

Hovering anear the threshold of the cot, 

If not within. This will be more his year, 

His jewel-year, for the lovely angel, 

Taking the form of a little daughter 

On the green sward at his side. He will take 

Her out to see the doves' nests and to hunt 

The berries in the hedge ; dear, doting sire ! 

Had he not taken her upon the back 

Of white Asinus, this morn through the fields, 

And next into the purpled vintage down, 

Bearing a basket in her tiny hands 

To bring some grapes to Anna, for the feast ? 

And he could not as erst, say " Anna-spouse, 

I think that we may, her to the temple take, 

The mother's time and his was coming fast. 

He could not now forestall, dear sire. 

This eve, 
As Anna sang — sat at the pleasant lattice 
With her little Blessed- Virgin-girl, 



62 Rosa Immaculata. 

As the round moon rose over the hills 

Of Galilee, and sang the same olden psalm 

She never had for an evening missed 

Since the bright morning first she carried 

Her unto the temple up, as has been told, 

Our little maid who ever seemed to hold 

Some new joy for her mother more — and more 

These special favored days, establishing, 

We find so soon, her sweet rule to pay back — 

Our holy little maid, her young, pure voice 

Lifted, and alternate with her mother sang. 

Do not the angels that in and around this {< house 

Of angels evermore," flit, bend nearer 

To this casement down ? — Do not the angels 

In heaven hear ? God hears ! Jesus hears ! — She sings ! 

(Ajstna and Mart singing alternately.) 
Anna. 

How lovely are Thy tabernacles, Lord, O Lord of Hosts,* 
My soul longeth and fainteth for the beauty of Thy Courts. 

Mary. 

My heart was touched, my lips awoke, my heart and flesh 
Have in the living God rejoiced, pour forth my songs afresh. 

* Ps. lxxxiii. 



The Seven Joys qf Anna. 63 

Anna. 

The sparrow there hath found a hoasc, the turtle there her 

nest; 
E'en at Thy altars, O my King, my God, the very birds 

may rest. 

Mary. 

Blessed are they who dwell in Thy dear House, O Lord, 
For they shall taste forever more the sweetness of Thy word. 

Anna. 

O blessed is the man whose help comes down from Thee, 
And who hath in his heart disposed, whose flesh and heart 
agree — 

Mary. 

In virtues to ascend by steps where he hath fixed the place 
Within this darksome vale of tears, as strengthened by Thy 
grace, 

Anna. 

From virtue on to virtue, the ways of pleasantness to trace. 
The God of Gods in Sion shall be seen, the glory of His 
face ! 

Mary. 

O Lord God of Hosts ! and Thou my prayer shalt hear, 
And give, O God of Jacob, unto me gracious ear. 



64 Rosa Immaculata. 

Anna. 

Our Protector, Lord, behold, and blot from out Thy book 
Thy people's sin — upon the face of Thy Anointed look ! 

Mary. 

For one day in Thy Courts, forsaken and alone, 

Is better than a thousand the sweetest elsewhere known. 

Anna. 

I have chosen, Lord of Hosts, O how longingly, 
Rather, Lord, an abject in Thy blessed House to be, 

Mary. 

Rather, Lord, than to banquet in the palaces of sin ; 
Open, Lord, Thy lovely Courts, Lord of Hosts, and tak« 
me in. 

Child-speech and song the outer bands : 
And now we may that inner ring — flashing 
As a jewelled circlet in its dewy splendors, 
In the triple crown of Anna's seventh joy — 
Admire, and it is this, to hear Mary pray. 
A joy we have not dared as yet t'garland 
Round with our short praise, or upon to gaze, 



The Seven Joys of Anna. 65 

Save only as we look at stars afar. 
Nothing could be more gushing than the hymn 
Or psalm at sunset : " I have chosen, Lord, 
Rather in Thy house to be; open, Lord 
Of Hosts, Thy lovely Courts, and take me in." 
Rippling for hours in sweetness through th' heart 
Of Joachim as he stood beneath the stars, 
As his fathers did, to pray, and yet it was, 
So Anna thought, edifying more to hear 
Her pray, and Joachim beside his hearth 
Always sat with his head bowed in his hands 
To listen then ; and whether she opened 
Her pure lips that God and her dear parents 
Might hear, to so edify their pious hearts, 
And praise God with her most sweet create voice, 
As vocal in the morning she might pray, 
Or as vesper from the twilight deepened, 
As some little Saint-statue knelt, for grace 
And motionlessness, or purity, she prayed 
With adoring hands, brows over which th' halo 
Brightened softly, lips that moved first, and soon 
You could not see breath-stir thereupon, th' soul 
Distilled so deep in the sweet heart sending 
I know not what of fervency, perfume- 
Oil of all saint-prayers — silent up to God. 
I know not whether it were edifying 



66 Rosa Immaculata. 

More to hear, or goodly more to see. 

The unction of her vocal prayer was like 

As ointment poured at the altar forth, 

The beauty of her breathless vespers 

As the sweetness of an ostensorium 

Cn a Benediction-altar, Sunday eves, 

Waiting the Christ in His ciborium-house. 

He will come forth for that. He will come down 

For this, and then this Virgin Vase shall glow 

Softly illuminate as an ostensorium 

On a Benediction-altar, Christ enshrined, — 

Faith showing Christ through both. O thou chaste Vase 

Of heavenliest crystal for the dear Christ, 

Shine all for Him ! Expand, illumine, wait ; 

Come, come, sweet Holy-Ghost-Dove, engraven 

This pure Vase for Messias ; make it beautiful 

And elaborate for Jesus. fC All for Jesus." 



CHAPTER X. 

H OLY LESSONS, 

OR THE DEAR PARENTS OF MARY TEACHING THEIR LITTLE 
BLESSED VIRGIN GIRL. 

"6T. ANXA, ORACLE OP PEOPHETS, PEAT FOE rS." 

And when the morning had come, Anna would take her little 
daughter to the lattice that opened to the east, and seating herself 



Holy Lessons. 6y 

upon a low bench by the casement, Mary kneeling at her lap, would 
unroll an ancient Scripture-copy, treasured in the family of Joachim, 
and instruct the child, and the Virgin child seeming learned as any 
other child, only, and Anna marvelled at this, the seed once cast 
always sprang fruitful at first, or never did Anna have to twice 
say, such is the letter, such the word, little daughter, and so this 
sweet child learned her letters from the scriptures, and Anna was 
Mary's teacher, and Mary knew the scriptures from her first or second 
year. Timothy "knew the scriptures from a child." Did the mother 
of Timothy's Master know less ? And Anna learned her moreover, 
as all good mothers first learn their babes, a prayer for the morn- 
ing and the evening, and the dear child, Mary, added to the prayer 
as she grew. And the prayer came before the lesson Anna taught. 
Behold Anna, the little Mary at her knee, devoutly raising her eyes 
to heaven. Behold the admirable little Mary raising her joined 
hands and lifting her eyes like her devout mother sweetly up to 
God. And the prayer might have been. 

Anna. 

" Lord my God, to Thee do I watch at the break of day. " 
" Praise the Lord, ye children : Praise ye the name of the 
Lord:' 

Mary. 

" For Thy mercy is better than lives ; Thee my lips shall 

praise." 
" From the rising up of the sun to the going down of the 

same." 

Anna. 

" For Thee my soul hath thirsted ; for Thee, my flesh, 
how many ways" 



6% Rosa Immaculata. 

" Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth 
for evermore. " 

Mary. 

" Who dwelleth on high and regardeth the things that are 

lowly, 
Who raiseth up the needy from the earth .<?" 

Anna. 

"Let Him not suffer thy foot to be moved; neither let 
Him sleep that keepeth thee" 

Mary. 
" We are the sheep of His pasture" 

Anna. 
" May God bless us" 

Mary. 
" And all the ends of the earth fear Him" 

Anna. 

Amen. 

And Joachim always made prayers for his righteous household, 
praying with his face toward Jerusalem. But let us not wander 
from the twain at the casement, Mary saying amen as never purest 



Holy Lessons. 6g 

lips before. u Sole it 11 — and after the amen, coming not back from 
the prayer too soon, Mary having arisen and standing beside, both 
would sometime look from the casement in silence, retiring 
devoutly thus from the immediate audience-feet of Jehovah, to this 
pcor life back and its manifold cares. Albeit a life with them so 
simple, direct, peaceful, sacred, off-shut, it seems as we gaze to it 
back — as we gaze to it back from our lives and surroundings — as 
we watch its lapse in this Holy Hill-home, as but one prayer, one 
continued and harmonious and perfect prayer unto G-od. Beautiful 
life, and was it not such? The life of Joachim, of Anna, of Mary, 
this simple human household-trinity of perfect ones — the immedi- 
ate ancestors of the Messiah ! Dear recollect mother ; dearer recol- 
lect child ! Anna, looking from the lattice into the garden where 
a tender dew yet lay upon every leaf and flower, would be the 
first to say, " Prayer is an embalmed dew," or, observant of the 
palms stirring in rich exuberance in the morning breeze — " The 
righteous shall grow as a palm-tree in Sion, as a palm-tree planted 
beside the waters," as a bird alighted on a branch and stirred the 
vines in the casement over their heads — the birds were never 
afraid to alight too near the Blessed Virgin — " Praise the Lord, all 
ye fowls of the air," and the bird chirped louder, or the rose at the 
lattice last blown was admired. — " A pure soul is a beautiful rose," 
her pure soul caressing thus as it first returned all things for God. 
Did one who wrote, " Prayer is a love-bath, into which the soul 
plunges — she is as if drowned in love. God holds the interior soul 
fast, as a mother holds the head of her child in her hands while she 
covers it with kisses and caresses."* Did he see a vision of Anna 
and Mary at their matins ? At their matins at the lattice before the 
sunrise ? Anna was wont to come before the sunrise, that they might 
see the sun, between the prayer and the lesson, come up over Abarim. 
li ye sun ; bless the Lord," " ye mountains and hills, bless ye 
the Lord !" Bless him in the morning when he comes to you first ; 
Bless Him in the evening when He covers you last with light as a 



* Cure de Ars. 



jo Rosa Lmmaculata. 

garment. Bless the Lord always. Joachim was this moment say- 
ing, walking in his cattle-spotted fields, "Bless the Lord, all ye 
beasts and cattle of the fields." " let the earth bless the Lordl 
Let it praise and exalt him above all forever." " Bless the Lord, 
all things that spring forth upon the earth. 1 ' " ye fountains, 
bless the Lord!" Looking back now to see the mother and child 
at the lattice — he was old-getting now, and could see objects so in 
the distance best, and of all objects best his Anna and the child. 
God, in His loving kindness, so the Father to this father, never 
off-shut that vision from his eyes. He could see the mother and 
child however, afar, more distinct this morn than even the cot, those 
two faces at the lattice, tender, devout, fuU of praise — saying as 
he walks, looking back to the lattice, " The Lord hath done great 
things for us ; we have become very joyful/' " Who maketh tho 
barren woman to dwell in her house, the joyful mother of chil- 
dren." '"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. - ' " Going on 
their way they went and wept : scattering their seed. But returning 
they come with joyfulness : bringing their sheaves with them." 
Looking at Anna from his seat, under a sycamore — keeping in 
range of the window, that precious window 1 and Joachim kept in 
range of the lattice, seated under a sycamore, seeing Anna unroll 
her parchment and teach the child — "She hath sought wool and 
flax and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands, her lamp shall 
not be put out in the night. She hath put out her hand to strong 
things : and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle. She hath 
opened her hand to the needy and stretched out her hand to the 
poor. , She shah not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all 
her domestics are clothed with double garments. She made fine 
linen and sold it. Strength and beauty are her clothing : and she 
shall laugh in the latter day. She hath opened her hand to wis- 
dom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue. She hath looked 
well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle. 
TTho hath found a valiant woman ? far. and from the uttermost 
coasts is the price of her." Looking at the little M^ary now reading to 
Anna, "She hath doves' eyes" — arising, proceeding leisurely to- 
ward the dear house — " ^Ly spikenard yielded the odor of sweet- 



Holy Lessons. 71 

ness." As the lily among thorns so is ray love among the daughters. 
" Now is the winter past, the rain is over and gone." 

And having taught her little Virgin girl, 

Then Anna, she would close the holy roll 

And talk of Eden and the serpent's guile, 

And of the woman whose victorious heel 

Should bruise his head, while the child's eyes would float 

As in a dream she almost saw ; or else 

Of Esther and Persia's king, and how she asked 

Perfumes not of the king's chamberlain, 

Save such as he gave, and how she fasted, prayed, 

And went by obedience before the king 

For her people Israel in, and fainted 

For the majesty in the king's presence seen ; 

And then he held the golden sceptre out. 

And as Anna rehearsed this, Joachim, 

Having drawn unto his peaceful hearthstone in, 

Said interiorly, " Our Esther!" — then would call 

Her to his side as Anna turned to mind 

The house, and taking Anna's lessons up, 

Expound on them. And she would listen close, 

She so loved to hear her father's reverent voice 

Telling Scripture lore. How Joseph was sold 

And carried into Egypt down. He had 

A grand and simple way of telling how 

He his brethren met — and of the little babe 



5 Rosa Immaculata. 

That was born and in the bulrushes hid ; 

And yet of the bush* that he saw burn 

On Horeb unconsumed ; and the child's face 

Would take a brighter glow here. Or of th' plagues 

That smote Egypt, and the Red Sea clove, 

And Israel coming up dryshod through, 

Miriam, her namesake, singing on the shore, 

" The horse and his rider he hath overthrown ! 

Pharaoh and his captains and all his hosts, 

In the Red Sea drowned." But most of all 

Were she moved by his account of Abraham, 

When called by God to offer his son Isaac 

On Moriah up — and Joachim would haste 

To speak of Rebekah by the well, 

Or the Queen of Saba, who came to see 

Solomon, both types of the child he taught. 



* The Fathers recognize Mary in the figure of the Burning Bush ; 
and the Rabbins teach that there appeared in the midst of the wild 
rosebush, that Moses stood with his feet bared on the bleak sum- 
mit of Horeb and saw burn, a countenance " resembling for loveli- 
ness and splendor nothing before seen." " Clearer than the light- 
ning, more brilliant than the flame." " Those wild roses," says 
Orsini, " emblematical of modest maidens, who shed their sweet 
perfume in solitude, and who are made resplendent by their con- 
tact with Deity, without having their spotless white and delicate 
blush any way tainted, these are the most admirable images of 
Mary, that mystical rose of the new law . . . The delicate and 
odoriferous rosebush through which Moses perceived the Divinity." 



Industry. 73 



CHAPTER XL 

INDUSTRY. 

SHE LATETH HER HAND TO THE SPINDLE." 

SHE must need this year good improve (Anna), 
Her little daughter must have robes befitting 
Meet her state, poor, but one of David's line ;* 
And she must go with vestures beautiful 
Unto the golden chambers of the virgins up; 
Yet busy, careful, but no troubled haste, 
Too well her thoughtful hands for this hath spun 
The two years gone, putting, whene'er she found 
The softer fleece, this for her wardrobe by, 



* "Not only St. Joachim but also St. Anna was an illustrious 
scion of the royal Davidic line." Father Vallejo, who also cites 
Calinus and Siandi. Anna was moreover the last and most perfect 
woman of the old law. The pastoral manners of the ancestors of 
the Messiah receive a new lustre when contemplated in connection 
with Anna and the Mother of God. Anna is the last and most 
illustrious of those admirable matrons, Sarah, Eebekah, Rachel, 
Abigail, Ncemi, Judith, Deborah, and the mother of the Machabees, 
that the Scriptures "praise in such magnificent terms." And Mary 
"from her cradle received the happiest impressions from the ex- 
ample given her by the holy patriarch, St. Joachim, her father, 
and St. Anna, her mother." 
4 



74 Rosa Immaculata. 

Which she would color of that Tyrian dye 
Only, 't is said, the Tyrian weavers knew, 
And the merchants of Tyre trafficked in; 
And that one of Solomon's wives, a daughter 
Of Tyre, perhaps, had learned to her daughter 
In the temple reared, and she esteeming, 
In her zeal for God's house, 't was right, smuggled 
The art unto the virgins of the temple in, 
And it had been kept inviolate thence, 
Among the holy weavers there. So Anna 
Would dye th' choice fleece, and when she did not spin- 
She had her hours for that — the little loom 
In waiting stood, or the embroidery frame. 
And Joachim, dear sire, knew before the time 
Of shearing came, the fleeces Anna would 
Put for the mantle of the little daughter by. 

Grant us your benediction, glorious saints ! 
St. Anna, St. Joachim, for us pray ! 



Holy Little Teacher. 75 



CHAPTER XII. 

HOLY LITTLE TEACHER. 

"SHE OPBNETH HEB SIOTTTH WITH WISDOM." — CANTICLES. 
" HER NEIGHBORS SHALL BE BROUGHT TO TnEE." — IBID. 

THE little one so grew, while Anna spun 
Upon the lawn before her door, now come, 
The children from the hamlet up would lead 
Her to the hedge, not distant from her mother's eye, 
To see an old bird feed her clamorous young, 
Or sit with her beneath the trees upon the lawn, 
And Mary, littlest teacher, would repeat 
The lessons with her mother conned; and some 
Of these same damsel-girls never forgot 
These lessons in the shades of Nazareth. 
Such was Salome, after Zebedee's spouse, 
And mother to apostles — Dear little school ! 
'Twas rather heavenly to be so taught 
Sweet little teacher ! not so glorious 
As He who'll sit upon the mount, and crowds 
Unto Him press, yet infant mother write 
It unto Him, whose rich beatitudes 
Shall pearl His gospel-page, and sweet voiceful 
Of the Christ flow down from Olivet's fair brow, 



76 Rosa Immaculata. 

As coming ages crumbling lapse and go, 

Knowing not change — the sweet blessings of God ! 

Dear coming Christ ! Dear mother of the Christ! 

Our teacher on the Hill — our teacher on the Mount ! 

O we would love to have been so learned ! 

But we know, sure, who teaches us, and 't is 

So sweet, or who has taught though yet afar, 

Who softly shimmers from her heavenlier hills 

All that is sweet in worship or in art 

On each poor page. Sweet teacher, teach us more ! 

And more ! Just now we want a crayoning — 

One pencil-picturing of Nazareth hill ; 

A little background of palms — draw the trunks, 

Easy, grand, one, two, three ; throw the branches 

Out gorgeously — we've poor idea of palms 

In our cold skies — that magnificent prince 

Of the landscape among orient trees. 

Paint free — the leaves eight, ten span, and wide, 

Lend color without stint — lavish green — burn 

In to an emerald tone and give fruit — 

Berry-dates, hard, green, starting, growing, 

Grown — ready for the mouth — flowers together 

On th' same bough, heavy to drop for honeyness — 

Buds as jaspers. There, you've trees that will do : 

Lay out the sward, short, thick, velvety — ■ 

Plant in a rosebush of Sharon — color, 



Holy Little Teacher. jj 

Red, rich, burning — and make the roses smell 
Put in a lily — that must be elaborate 
But chaste — raise a rude stone seat, or of wood, 
Under the trees — unroll a bit of Asian sky over, 
And put three little maids under the trees — 
One, the little Blessed Virgin girl. 

There ! there ! need we say more ? you can see th' rest. 
But we so love to look and try : don't you ? 
Well, try; limn the little maids all, serene. 
The two as handmaids to the little queen, 
Lovely in look and limb, fair Syrian girls- 
Hearkening handmaids to the little queen ! 
And the little Blessed- Virgin-girl, Queen ? 
My God ! if you can paint a cherub, try ; 
A Raphael Madonna when a young child ; 
A littler Admit abilis spinner* — 
Only a little more of the mystic bud, 
The ethereal young girl of the Nazareth hill 
Or a face most like that other Young Child 
Later with Mary under the Egypt palms. 



* See portrait to Maier Admirabilis, published by Kirker. New 
York, from a painting in the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Man- 
hattanville, New York, from a fresco in the corridor of the Convent 
of Trinita dei Mondi, in Some, representing the Most Blessed 
Virgin, spinning flax within the precincts of the Temple, at the 
age of fifteen years; and imagine her while yet younger. 



78 Rosa Immaculata. 

Put a parchment old and worn upon her lap, 
And let the attentive maids kneel, a little 
To the side of her feet, and sketch a wheel 
At a guardian distance — simple, plain ; 
Let the flax be flax on the distaff, shining, 
Glossy, soft — and the spinner as Anna 
Opens to your soul, -peaceful, sweet, serene ; 
Line the very thread, even in her hand — 
And, a patriarchal man, as Abraham, looked 
The morning after Isaac was born — 
Joachim, coming in at the path, rising 
Just the hill, stopping to breathe, or look. 

And when she had all of the wise lessons 
Of Anna, her mother, and Joachim, 
Her father, savored with her own wisdom 
Taught, little heads would late bethink the sun 
Was lowering in the west, and their mothers 
Would fear they were upon the hill so long. 
Dear group ! It is so sweet, once having come, 
To with Mary stay, we are wondering more 
They ever thought to go. Then she would rise 
And go with them some steps across the sward, 
All which was done so sweet that they would kneel, 
Each little visitor, and take her hands 
To kiss— her cheek it was too modest — her lips 



Continued Joys. 79 

Too holy, they had never thought to touch ; 
But so would kiss her hands and go. 

Angels 
To brush the helm of her chaste robe are rapt ; 
We reach the uttermost fringe, streaming as rays 
Of that mantle wide enow for all mankind, 
Floating some bright Annunciation morn 
From the softened clouds, and are but too happy. 
And ye have held the Blessed Virgin's hands, 
And ye may come almost any summer's day, 
Dear guests of Mary, how we envy ye : 
O but to kiss Mary's hands ! Let us go 
And live, too, at the foot of Nazareth hill. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

CONTINUED JOYS. 

" ST. ANNA, SPRUNG FROM THE BLOOD OF KINGS, PRAT FOR US." 

AGAIN there was th' joy t' bathe those precious limbs 
And put fresh linens, pressed in rosemary, 
And fair blue raiment on her little queen — 
Her little hidden gem of David's House. 
And tenderly caress and lay in curl 
The golden ringlets of that lovely hair, 



80 Rosa Immaculata. 

Which the dear Virgin child would with a kiss 

Reward upon her dearest mother's hand. 

Oh, if it is, sweet Mary's divines t hand, 

From our sin-stained lips withheld, let us kiss 

Anna's hand ! just where Mary's kiss touched ! 

Then Anna-mother is privileged to draw 

With her chaste lips to that immaculate cheek. 

O, Anna's joys are thick as violets 

In Spring ! and so each blessed day as marked 

With a white stone — as God never Himself 

Repeats, inexhaustible Creator ! — 

Came bearing its new joy, and Joachim, careful 

To contribute to such store, seemed happiest, 

Bringing some large berries in his broad palm 

To his little girl, or some o'er bright flower 

Of the Held, or pretty nest. "Nature's baubles I" 

God's baubles ! and which poets with Joachim 

Do not despise, the hand that fashioneth 

So they see. And Mary would reward with smile. 

" She will reward thee with a smile, 
Thou knowest what it's worth." 



Continued Joys. 8 l 

U TI1E BAKOMETEE-FLOAYEE." — THE LITTLE EOSE OF JEEICHO,* 

Or Joachim returning from the fields bringing something in his 
hands. 

Joachim. 

Just hither, little daughter ! just hither and see 
A curious little thing I have found in the field, 

Withered and brown and curled. 
Bear a basin of water, Mother-Anna, to me : 
Drop in little brown ball, and hasten to yield 

The gem of a rose unfurled. 

But first let us see how without root, how without stem, 

Came ever this strange little rose to grow ? 

It is certain it drew not from earth 

Its food. 'Tis only, dear daughter, the wind's little diadem, 

Driven and tossed, wherever and when, as the winds may 

blow, 

Blown anywhere over the turf. 

* This singular little rose-plant grows at first attached to the 
earth by so slight a cord or single root, that it is soon detached by 
the rough winds of the desert. Instead, however, of perishing, 
whenever a storm or as soon as the rainy period approaches, it 
commences to unfold its little white blossoms, and thus has 
won the title of the barometer-flower. As soon as the season of 
rain has past it again resumes its flowerless, rootless aspect, 
driven over the waste as a puff-ball in the wind, from which ap- 
pearance it has been frequently mistaken by travellers, and is fabled 
as growing without any roots. 
4* 



82 Rosa Immaculata. 

A very detached little thing, you see ; 

Only a dusty and crumpled and wind-tossed ball ; 

But cast to the basin, in. 
See the beautiful flower that peeps out to thee ! 
Who would have dreamed without any beauty at all, 

What could be hidden within ? 
'T is just like a saint, continued the sire — 
As she smiling bent over the water — 

So may a soul her virtues inclose, 
As detached from the earth, as hidden retire ; 
And to each the storms are as dews, dear daughter, 

That only brings out the rose. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

BY THE WELL OF NAZARETH. 
"ST. ANNA, MOTHER-IN-LAW OF JOSEPH, PEAT FOE rS. 1 ' 

Scene — A way-faring man from Galilee, stopping by the well in the 
hamlet of Nazareth. The thatch of the cottage of Joachim upon 
the hillside over above the hamlet discerned from the well — a little 
girl coming to draw water — letting down her pitcher to give drink 
unto the thirsty traveller. 



B 



Traveller. 

LESS thee, little damsel, whose daughter 
Art thou ? 



By the Well of Nazareth. 83 

Damsel. 

Miriam, the daughter of Rebekah, 
That she bore unto Nathaniel : Simon, 
My brother, nets the fish ; I bear the water. 

Traveller. 

Miriam ! there are many Miriams now. 
Beautiful name ! She who wears it should beam 
In her house as a star. But who cometh, 
Miriam, now, in the path from the hills ? 

Miriam. 

( Gazing upon our little party from the cottage above, as they emerged 
from a winding in the path that had hidden them for the moment 
from our view.) 

Joachim and Anna, I think, blameless 

And guileless in their lives, and one who beams 

In their house as a star — The child God hath 

In their old age given unto them. There are sheep 

And bullocks for sacrifice in the rear. 

They are carrying her up this morn, I'm sure. 

She is to be, sir, in the temple reared; 

Yesterday the priests were there and marvelled 

At the sweetness and wisdom of words 

In one so young. Never virgin has been, 

They say, received to the temple so young. 



84 Rosa Immactjlata. 

Traveller. 

As David and Jonathan, our fathers 
Were kinsmen ! 

{Going forward with greeting) 

Joachim. 

(Lifting his eyes as the traveller approaches.) 

Joseph, my brother ! "Let the name of God 
Be praised !" 

Joseph. 

The Lord journey with thee and bless 
Thee! 

All. 
Amen! 

Joachim. 

Anna, our spouse, my brother, 
And the child God hath in our old age lent 
To dilect our hearts. 

[And Joseph salutes 
Without raising his eyes, for sudden he felt 
A holiness come into his heart and cast 
His eyes down.] 



By the Well of Nazareth. 85 

Joachim. 

We go up to the temple 
Bearing our daughter unto the altars 
Of the Lord our God. But whither our way ? 

Joseph. 

A house for Nathaniel to build — I had a gate 
For Herod to frame, and am but down 

tot 

From Jerusalem, magnificent city ! 

Joachim. 
Our coming, a day, would thou hadst tarried. 

Joseph. 

'T is certain I have missed. But I will pray 
For you and your sacrifice. Nathaniel 
Waits. The Lord before thee go ! 

Joachim. 

The Lord tarry 
With thee. 

So parted these friends and kinsmen : 
Our three journeying on — Joachim saying 



86 Rosa Immaculata. 

To Anna, Behold a meditating man, 

And Anna making reply, He remindeth 

Of Adam before the fall, just man ! or, said 

Her spouse, of Enoch more, and who was not, 

For God took him. And Joseph, looking 

After Joachim as he journeyed on, said, 

As Abraham; in his seed shall the earth 

Be blessed. Thank God for meeting thee, it does 

One good of a just man to catch but a glimpse, 

Our eyes are refreshed. But why went not 

I, with them unto the temple back ? — why ? 



CHAPTER XV. 



FROM NAZARETH TO JERUSALEM. 



-September rolled 



W 



Down all the vine-clad Syrian slopes 
Her breadths of purple and of gold, 
And birds sang loud from olive-tops. 

The respirations of the year 

At least grew soft, o'er valleys wide, 
Pine-roughened crags again shone clear; 

And the great temple far descried. 

To watchers, watching long in vain, 

To patriots gray in bondage nursed, 
Flashed back their hope — " The second Fane 

In glory shall surpass the first.' 1 '' — De Veke. 

Joachim. 

HAT a beautiful journey, little daughter, we take, 
Now by the mouth of the Geneseret Lake. 



From Nazareth to Jerusalem. 87 

Anna. 

Going up to the temple, House of our God, 
Sweet is the path by sacrifice trod. 

Mary. 

For one day in thy courts, forsaken and alone, 
Is sweeter than a thousand elsewhere known. 

With the vow on their brows, with the vow on their lips, 
Ready to fall, how beautiful among the mountains their 

steps. 
Peace and praise in their hearts — O, a pearl was each word 
That the angel stooped nearer to hark and bore up as 

heard ! 
And never a new line of landscape, one looming elysian, 
In that land of the Judean mountains, arose on their vision, 
But they praised as they passed the God who built up the 

mountain, 
And planted the cedar and fir, and sent the cool flowing 

fountain 
Down from its brows, over-capped with the snow, 
Crowning with white, as nearer heaven, the verdures be- 
low; 
And never a field grew over-luxurious, or never a tree 
Thrust out with its branches uncommonly fair, but our 
travellers see ; 



88 Rosa Immaculata. 

Never a boulder in its mossings unusually picturing the wood 

or the way, 
Unworshipped by eyes sweetly observant, is passed, unmir- 

rored in heart this day. 
Only on the days of the Virgin seen, or then sweetest 

seen — 
Perhaps the reflect thereon of her soul's sacred sheen — 
A glory lines with the mountains and parallels every line, 
Or curve on the sky, soft and distinct, a spiritual shine 
Lines with the features or face of the mountains on the breast 

of the sky, 
Lines the leaves of the wood — on every leaf does the lining 
silver-most lie — 

Lines the limbs of the kings of the wood, 

The kings that a century have stood, 

The rough nopal and cedar, 

Sycamore and juniper — 

Holily luminous to see, 

Silvering the rinds of the tree — 
The black fir, and oak, gleaming as a white birch in the sun — 
A white birch with the leaves of the silver aspen on ; 

Coating the masses, 

Sheathing the grasses, 
Touching the waters in warble — the bright fountain run — 
All things twice shining, yet shining so soft in the face of 

the sun. 



From Nazareth to Jerusalem. 89 

What a precious journey, under and over, and between each 

hill: 
Not a breath of hot air heats, not a breath of the damp airs 

chill. 
'Tis an autumn in Syria, a Judean September day. 
Three hearts may never forget this luminous way. 
How privileged my soul, to journey with Mary and Joachim 

and Anna, 
With this atmosphere over around as a spiritual banner. 
And Mary remembers this dear day in Heaven — in Heaven 

to-day, 
From Nazareth hill to Sion's gates, remembers well the 

pleasant way. 

days ! dear days ! when young hearts to God's House go 

up in sacrifice 

After the Virgin, ye are days to smile for them in Para- 
dise. 

" And virgins after her shall go," and all that walk these 
paths elect, 

1 make no doubt, shall Mary's sovereign love protect. 

O day ! a branch upon their tree beside the living waters, 

That waiting beams and waves for all these virgin daughters. 

How beautiful to have such branch sent up — unto your life- 
tree given, 

To wait your coming feet, to mark a feast-day, hence in 
Heaven — 



90 Rosa Immaculata. 

The day when you so harked your angel's special call, 
And so chose Heaven in place of Earth, God as the only 

all, 
Whom God did in His sweetness so select 
To come up to the chambers for His first elect. 
All ye who have, or wait to count so glad a day, 
Look on dear Mary in her consecration way. 
Look on dear Mary but a child going so joyful up 
To take and bless forevermore the virginal pure cup. 
Or ye who have given dearest daughter yet, or son, 
To after her chaste footsteps hasten eager on, 
For every thorn in its sweet solitary way, 
Behold a thousand heavenly roses gay, 
That yield such perfume for each precious wound, 
It oftener seems that only joy is in this pathway found. 

(Drawing nigh to Jerusalem.) 

Anna. 

O sweet is the path of sacrifice trod, 
Going up to the temple, House of our God. 

Joachim. 

" I rejoiced at the things that were said to me : We shall go 
into the House of the Lord." 

(Entering within the gates.) 



Immaculate Presentation. 91 

" Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem. Let 

peace be in thy strength and abundance in thy 
towers." 

u 3o ye into Kis gates with thanksgiving, and into H's 
courts with hymns; give glory unto Hi r. M 




CHAPTER XVI. 
immaculate presentation. 

Sanctct trivga tnvgmum, ora pro ttoii0. 

AFTEE HER SHALL YIKGINS BB BKOTJGHT UNTO THE KING. 11 

ND Anna covered herself with a veil 
Before they entered the city, 
And she covered the child she had brought the Lord. 
And first they went, saith the chronicler, 
To an inn for travellers, and then Joachim 
Went up to the Temple, and Anna, robing 
Her child for the offering, took the garment — 
Strange to narrate, but unsoiled and more fragrant 
Than when she had clothed her — from off the child, 
And put on raiment of that soft summer hue 
Of the skies of Palestine. — The child had 
A delicate beauty ; pale golden hair, 



92 Rosa I::::a;yl^t._. 

Slightly corEng — wre know a. : erst one word 
For it, 'teal '. :, — :he first veil God gives 
To His virgins — which His ancient virgins 

Were jealous to keep. This heavenly veil 

Of her heavenly hair, pale shining as amber, 
Fell down in its wave over her neck, 
For which Elisabeth, coming straightway 
Down from the temple, brought a necklace 
Of lilies — so was Anna's offering 
Made ready, by Elisabeth and Anna — 
And Toachim returned — three little maids 
Bearing tapers — they go toward the temple; 
The virginal torch-bearers, in white, 
Embroidered v.- if- gold, leading on before — 
Mary, in raiment the color of the sky, 
Anna and Joachim between, following next; 
And Elisabeth by the side of Anna, 
And others of the tribe of Judah, to whom 
Joachim had as wont his messenger sent 
As he entered the gates, walking after; 
Glorious procession ! where are the angels? 
Ask a little eye-ointment of John — 
Of his angel of the Church, for your eyti, 
Such as he counsels to buy, and look up. 
There is a gleam of invisible torches 
Over above, preceding the way, a gleam 



Immaculate Presentation. 93 

Or shadow of wings as of light in the air. 

And when they had come up to the mountain 

Of worship — Moriah — appeared at the gate, 

And stood at the foot of the stairs renowned, 

Marble and massive and goldened — white steps leading 

Up to the altar — fifteen — corresponding 

To the psalmody of the king — and the priests 

Were accustomed to ascend them pausing 

To sing on the sacred step of each stair, 

On the days of their feasts — the three virgins 

Bearing tapers, paused at the foot of these stairs, 

And Anna, and Elisabeth, and Joachim, 

And all of the people paused with them, 

And a cloud of brightness, extraordinary, 

Lowered at this same time over the temple ; 

And the vast marbles, roofed over with gold, 

Loomed up as a palace or temple in Heaven, 

Suddenly unveiled in the clouds unto faith, 

The priests transfigured, standing in white robes, 

At the entrance — Zachary and his priesthood, 

At the apex of the fifteen broad steps. 

Standing above. And the fifteen steps gleamed 

As marbles smote with innumerable suns, 

And the brow of Anna grew brighter, 

And the brow of Joachim, and the brow 

Of Elisabeth, and the brow of all ; 



94 Rosa Immaculata. 

But the youthful Mary, no longer a child, 

As an angel or cherub, letting go 

From the hands of her father and her mother, 

Gazing wonderingly on her — mounting 

With eagerness, peaceful, swiftly, spiritual, 

Unaided, alone — went straight up the staircase ; 

Pausing not, looking not back, till she stood 

In her sweetness, and brightness, and rapture, 

And triumph, on the topmost stair — waiting 

For the priests of her God to receive, to usher 

Her, welcome her in — magnificent child ! 

TV priests of tb/ house of thy God were astonished- 

Marvelled, seeing thee thus by the spirit come — 

Thy parents who had known thee, given especial 

Of God, were astonished as seeing thee thus 

By the spirit go, and all the people 

Who looked up from below were astonished, 

And the virgins who looked out from the temple 

Within, all marvelled, and the priests received 

Thee with benediction, and all having come 

To the court of offering in — from a porch 

Or vestibule — young virgins having met 

Her — seven virginal companions, the almahs, 

Anna strewing spikenard, Rachel lilies, 

Abigail and Judith bearing tapers, 

And Sarah brought a ring, Rebekah 



Immaculate Presentation - . 95 

A veil — it was brown, and Esther a crown — 

Lily-buds for delicateness as the brow 

They would bind, and as she was of the race 

Of Judah, the rose of Sharon entwined; 

And last came Susannah with a key, 

Conducted by Anna, the matron of virgins. 

And there are brows unreckoned, seraph 

And cherub-like faces peering down, 

Over above in the arches stooping toward, 

Grouped over the altar where stands the High-Priest 

And his Levites, far above, beckoning 

Her up with their worshipfil eyes dropped down 

To the altar. And she goes in her ardent 

And serene peacefulness, with her parents 

Leading her up to God. Beautiful ceremonial ! 

Mystic and hidden, only I hear Anna 

And Joachim making a vow, words hidden 

For Heaven. Could we but know ! well, God gives 

Some things, but more things for Paradise keeps. 

Praised be the God of secrets and reservations ! 

Religion is sweetest so. There will be mysteries, 

O, so alluring ! in Heaven to learn, 

The glimpse of whose brows we caught on the earth, 

But could not so familiarize their faces, 

Or read their for-Heaven-sealed secrets here. 

They will meet us as half-known and waited 



96 Rosa Immaculata. 

For friends there, with unimagined surprises 

Prepared for the elect. O, the glory-guerdons 

Of Heaven ! but we lose the rite as vision, 

Half-unrolled and escaping — only I hear 

Anna and Joachim making their vow — 

The priest writing it down on a parchment — 

A simply grand inaugurative prayer, 

A vow for parents who shall after come, 

Bringing their virgins nobly up to God. 

Mary as she prays or says secret her vow, 

Her spouse, the Third with the Holy, whispers, 

" Say evermore, my dove," and Mary saith 

" Evermore, Lord!" Thus was her virginity vowed, 

And the priest clipped seven of the ambrosial curls 

That hung round her brow and her neck as a veil, 

And cast them into the brazier for burning, 

And as flowers their odors filled the temple. 

Then the priest placed the brown veil Rebekah 

Brought on her head, and Esther laid the crown 

Thereon she held, and Sarah placed the ring 

On her finger. And the veil grew shining 

Meantime it was seen, but before the altar, 

All marvelled but spoke not, or all marvelled 

But Anna and Joachim, saying in their hearts, 

Over hair so heavenly and fragrant, 

Over a brow, over a heart so pure 



Immaculate Presentation. 97 

Beneath, where is the wonder? — She is crowned 

By the virgins in the old temple of Sion, 

Last and most magnificent child of the Old Law. 

And the virgins of the temple enhance 

The ceremonial by their harmonies, 

Psaltry and harp never so melted together. 

And do not the angels watching over 

Drop in, now and then, a note in their joy ? 

Zachary, priest of the sacrifice, standing, 

By his altar, two Levites assisting, 

Heareth, we think, and Anna, matron-widow, 

Mother of the virgins, accompanying, 

And an old man in the distance, hears chords 

Drop, drop, ever anon in. The Holy Ghost 

Touches his ears, dear, glorious old Simeon. 

Nunc Dimittis being prepared to sing, 

O the preparations that come from the Lord ! 

And there is another reverent man 

With face like a father in Paradise, 

Hearing the notes of the angels, dear Joseph J 

Whether he came up in vision, leaving 

Nathaniel's house, forgotten or no, 

We have neither tradition nor clue," 

Only we see him, or dream, our Joseph ! 

At the consecration of Joachim's child, 

Breathing as unwitting such virginal pureness, 

6 



9$ Rosa Immaculata. 

Pure Lord, be it perpetual ! And did 

Anna and Joachim, our dearest parents, 

Hear harmonies, too, introduced and dropped in 

By the angels — angelic accompaniments? 

Could their sacrifice-sanctified ears not hear ? 

And Mary ? O Mary ! we cannot ask ! 

Look in her face as a lily and star, 

Standing in her young virginal whiteness 

At the altar, Mary the young illuminator ! 

One white offering from earth, white in the eyes 

Of God — in the eyes of Triune purity, 

Unbreathed on — untouched — one virgin for God. 

And, perchance, her eyes, too, see their faces 

Over above, from arches stooping down — 

Out of the depths of a heart transparent, 

Mary making thy vow, th' angels observant 

Singing so ardent, are mute, ignorant, 

It is true, of this mystery folded, 

Still considering this child as a casket, 

For Heaven full of jewels, over-bent 

Are admiringly mute, considering — 

And torches lit from heavenly fires enlighten ; 

Virgin propitiatory ! the Word will soon take up 

His abode with thee — Immaculate Sanctuary ! 

" Doth not the lamp, even now, the Holy 

Of Holies before, scintillations shed 



Immaculate Presentation. 99 

Forth in the shade " before her coming — 
Her feet in His court, her knees on the steps 
Of His altar — who bringeth the Messiah ? 
Messiah ! the word shines by the side of Mary ; 
They look like an accomplishment together — 
Mary and Messiah — only " the first 
Shall be last," and the psaltry rings, and the harp; 
And the entire temple exults for joy. 

Each virgin companion having first embraced 
The dear little Mary and called her my sister, 
Then came the almahs in triumph to lead 
The lovely elect up to their chambers. 
Susannah, the eldest, just fifteen that day, 
And who was going out to be espoused, 
And whose place Mary was now to take, brought 
The key of her cell and placed in her hands, 
Whereupon knelt Mary, low and sweetly, 
Begging her blessing. O humility ! 
This Susannah, tradition remembers 
As one of the women who followed our Lord 
In His path in His dolor, and who stood 
With the daughters of Jerusalem and wept. 
Glorious woman ! and she, Susannah, 
Touched by the fervors of her successor, 
A.sked of Mary when she might come to go 



loo Rosa Immaculata. 

Up to her chamber to remember her there. 
Susannah was tall and comely to look 
Upon, and the virgins were sad at the parting, 
But when they looked in the face of Mary 
They rejoiced. Anna, the matron, likewise 
Received her with kindness, and took the raiment 
Anna had brought for the child, and spake 
To the mother with sweetness, and the virgins 
Waited to lead her up to their chambers. 

Parents of Mary, we could weep for ye now ; 

Their hour it has come ; and Mary approached 

And knelt for their blessing, and Joachim blessed 

His daughter, and Anna held back, in her love 

For the child, her tears ; she must not pain 

The tender heart of the child on the day 

Of her spousals with heaven. Thoughtful Anna 

Kept back the sorrow till to the chambers, 

Over the threshold her darling was passing, 

That lead to the cloisters of Israel, sacred 

And grand. Ah, Anna ! poor human mother, 

What aileth thee now ? weeping at the altar 

Many tears — and Joachim — 't was pitiful, 

Too, to see. No, no, their tears do them good, 

And it is best to suffer somewhat for God ; 

Yet they could not but weep much as they turned, 



Mary and her Companions. 101 

And journey again to the hill. Though they go 
Not in darkness, our accepted with God. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

MARY AND HER COMPANIONS. 

"nOTV LOYELT ARE THY TABERNACLES." — PSALM lxXXlii. 

Scene — Going up a superb staircase — entering the magnificent 
chambers. 

EE those beautiful temple-girls leading 
Their prize through those magnificent rooms, 
Watching the joy she affects not to hide, 
Innocent joy ! innocently looked for ; 
More than innocently given, modest, 
Nor less ; we but affect what we have not. 
With an innocent joy shining and diffused 
Over all her modest, dear face — dear Mary ! 
She gazed on the grandeurs around her — " dazed 
As a child ?" Not so ; but as one taking 
The spirit, with its figures and symbols 
In. It was a house full of signs, altars, " 
Rituals, and vestments — and she read them, 
Temple-adornings, mystical, waiting, 
Treasures of embroidery, gorgeous pavilions, 



102 Rosa Immaculata. 

Floors of juniper, the figure of the palm 
Engraven in gold thereon, wainsco tings 
And walls of incorruptible wood, inwreathed 
With pomegranate foliage, lily-work, 
Grapeage of gold, roses half-blown in marble, 
Brilliant mosaic clusterings of jewels, 
And the glow and promise of God over all. 
It was the House of her God, and it made 
Her glad to see, and she hid not her gladness. 
Holy as modest, and modest as holy, why should 
She ? and the virgins were gay with her joy ; 
All day rang the harp, and there was sweet mirth 
In th' golden chambers of th' daughters of Sion. 

Now they wind up another staircase superb, 
And come to a balcony overlooking 
Jerusalem, beautiful city! below, — the face 
Of Mary, as the face of the moon at its full, 
Gazing down on its multitudinous streets, — 
Jew and Egyptian, all the East represent there; 
Moving and shifting, changing, yet scarce, 
One gay panorama, ever on-pressing — 
On in the sunshine — and a surge of the West. 
Roman and Greek, and a few barbarics, 
Sprinkling with quaintness the mass of the Hebrew- 
Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, high priests, 



Mary and her Companions. 103 

Chief priests, known by their garments, prophets 

From Carmel, and now a grim eunuch, 

Centurions, and publicans, and soldiers, 

Shepherds from the hill-country, driving a flock 

For the altars, camels, a picturesque traveller, 

Picturesquely perched high upon their high backs, 

Noble and ignoble asses, bearing, 

The one veiled women and beautiful children, 

The others, poor drudges of burden, lumber 

And stone, and the restive war-horse, bitted 

And curved by the tribune. Ah ! there's a man 

And a woman going down to the gates, 

And a white ass bridled without a rider, 

That rivets her eyes. Now the twain, nearing 

The gates, stand looking back. The riderless ass 

Turning his head toward the city, and loath 

To go back, even unto fat pastures, 

Without her. Doth the old man discern ? we've said 

God never off-shut by distance or blindness 

The face of his child. The face of the crowd 

Between eclipsed, he saw not, dear old man ! 

Nor the virgins as bees clustered round a flower 

In the alcove with Mary, only his child, 

Holding her dear hands serenely up to heaven, 

Yet looking so sweetly to him, and knelt 

For a blessing from the gates. See, Anna ! 



: f Rosa Iucma : 

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is not good Hi : 
Oar frier—Is dear gone, said Rebekah, and took 

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: : ■ ve nevennoce may kiss die friend 



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. : ■ Li . H : . : f H : lies. V : 1 : ; - : - - 

1 : ■ : the almahs are km v ling, tke «twnwiw. 

They lead her to tke door of tike sanctci 
7 : liore, and knelt. SLendy arose 

1 :oon3anions j and when the Virgin rose not, 



Mary and her Companions. 105 

Leaving Mary, O blissful remaining! 

One by one softly drew off to a porch 

Together to talk of her beauty — Flower 

Of two tribes, the royal and sacerdotal, 

Beautiful girls ! her virginal companions, 

Beautiful as the ancestral mothers, ye figure, 

Types gathered round Mary, in whom, daughter 

Of the Law and mother of the Gospel, 

The women of the two Testaments meet 

And embrace. Sarah, the eldest, now Susannah 

Has gone, tall and princess-like as the wife 

Of Abraham, of whom it is written, 

" And Sarah was fair to look upon," and he feared 

For his life when Pharaoh looked on the brow 

Of his spouse who swerved not to offer his son. 

Another, her ancestral prototype, 

There's her picture left twice on the book of God : 

A king indignant, or God's anointed, 

Out-driven and hunted as prey, having sent 

For his followers, faithful and starving, down 

Unto sheep-shearing Nabal for pittance 

Of bread, refused and derided, arisen 

In his wrath, hasting down with his spears — sprang 

From a cleft in the rough hills of Judah, 

Terrible in armor, magnificent 

To look upon, here opens our picture — 



106 Rosa Immaculata. 

Sprang fierce down th' gorge, stayed and surprised, ready 

To strike, leaned on his spear, Abigail at his feet, 

The wife of the churl in her robes of banquet, 

Beautiful Abigail ! On her brow, uplift 

In its beauty to the king, faith in wisdom 

And mercy and David. It is the morning, 

The sun, the cliff above them, just rises, 

A peak where they had stood overshadowed, 

Falling all over the armor of David, 

On the cheek of his suppliant, in her hair — 

Her eye has no need of the sun. Handmaids 

In paleness, and servants behind her prostrate; 

A little lower down asses laden for feasting. 

Open again with the holy leaves : 

The steward of Abraham, his servants 

And camels in the rear, and Rebekah 

Letting down her pitcher, he seeing she is fair : 

Again, it is the shepherdess, Rachel — 

Young Jacob a morning after he had seen 

His ladder with angels watering the flock 

Of his cousin. Esther, and none was found 

Like her in Persia — Judith, Holofernes looked 

In her face, drunken more with than th' wassail, 

So lost his head, and Anna, the youngest 

Recollects of trie mother of Samuel and Mary's. 



Mary and her Companions. 107 

Sarah. 

Yet her tunic is simpler than ours, Esther. 

Esther. 

But sweeter. 

Sarah. 

For brightness as well as for color. 
Esther. 

Or for purity, Sarah. 

Sarah. 

I am so glad 
She has come ! 

Anna. 

There's over it a shine so soft. 
Esther. 

There is a shine so pure over all her raiment, 
Never seen on other garments. I am 
So glad she has come ! 

Abigail. 

What is the sweetest thing 
About her, Sarah ? 

Sarah. 

Well — it is her eyes. 



108 Rosa Immaculata. 

Abigail. 
Nay, it is her hair ; saw we ever such hair ? 

Sarah. 
Saw we ever such eyes ? 

Abigail. 

But it 's her hair ! 
Like the purest amber, the sun at the set, 
Looking through ! God has given her the locks 
Of an angel. Let His name be praised ! The Lord 
Loveth the daughters of Judah and giveth 
Them beauty. I am so glad she has come ! 

Sarah. 

Is her hair — is her eyes, Rebekah, her charm ? 

Rebekah. 

Or her whole face chiselled in delicateness, 
Sarah ? Brow so fair, cheek as transparent, 
Or a neck pure as ivory and more ? 

Rachel. 

I think her mouth — the red rose-bud of Persia 

In sereneness. She smiles an orient ruby : 

'T is her lips are the flower of her sweetness, 

Just two pomegranate leaves blown in Solomon's garden ! 

O, I'm so glad she has come ! . 



Mary and her Companions. 109 

Judith. 

Ah, but the charm 
Lies deeper. It is her voice, as music 
We have dreamed of. 'T is melancholy t' worship 
All sweet sounds that come from without, to sigh 
With th' winds in the reeds, to groan with the moan 
In the waters — O, to hear the airs in the pines, 
Where I was born, dear mountains of Judah ! 
After hearing a mother sing over your cradle, 
After hearing the golden trumpets blow 
For the feast, after hearing the virgins, 
Your sisters in choir, to stand but dumb, no music 
Alone in your tongue ! What's beauty or birth, 
What with, to sing ? O, to sing in your heart 
And not in your lips ! My mother would say 
In th' Life Everlasting, we may all hope 
To sing. It is my first desire to be there. 
I dreamed last night that I stood in a field, 
An open field, I think, all around green, 
Beautiful ! bright ! An angel appeared in the air. 

Rebekah. 
And you were not afraid ? 

Judith. 

Afraid ! I was 
Gladdened ; I looked up — I think that I stood 



no Rosa hou c u lata. 

A '.::tle above the ground — and I asked 

C : the angel to sing ; and the angel said, Sing. 

Then I rose up as on wings with \he angel, 

And I could sing as an angel. O I had 

Never, even in my passion for singing, 

Conceived in my heart how an angel does sing ! 

It hath not unto our imagination 

As vet entered first, what sweetness is shut 

05* for the Hereafter. I awakened to long 

For its shore or its portals. 

Sarah. 

Messiah, — 
But He must first come to open the door. 

Judith. 

May He come soon then ! 

[And all the beautiful girls 
Said amen. Each one had a beautiful hope 
Laid up in her breast.] 

Judith. 

Each word from her lips 
Is a pearl note in tune with a harmony 
Our ears are too dull for, that is the spell. 
O, I'm so glad she has come ! 



Mary and her Companions. 12 1 

Rachel. 

But, Judith, 
Such a lovely mouth ! O it is that makes 
Every word as music you dreamed of. 

Judith. 

Does the wing or the song most make the bird ? 
What lovelyizes the bee over the lime ? 

Anna. 

Not the hum but the honey, I answer there, 

And the bee drones in stillness taking it in. 

Speaking of Mary, New little sister, 

I will be your little one, she said, 

Receive me to serve you. Scarce more her words, 

And so few, call the charm of our sister 

Her peacefulness rather. 

Esther, 

Or appropriateness ! 
Recollect we th' fifteen steps she came up ? 
How she shone at the altar, as she walked 
With us through these chambers, but now, how dropped 
At sight of that curtain ; and yet she is there. 
(Lifting a drapery softly looking in through the hall.) 



1 1 1 Rosa Immaculata. 

Judith. 

O, leave her alone yet ! I remember 
How I yearned to adore first alone. Prayer 
Is freest alone. 

Rachel. 

Let us to the fountains 
For flowers while she prays. No work for to-day ! 
No threading of needles, no casting of shuttles! 
With harp and with tambour, away to the yards 
Of our freedom ! 

The virgins rejoicingly gone, 
Our Mary, dear Mary, before the veiled place 
As the spotless angel of the portals 
Guarding the chambers of Jehovah, alone. 
She came, and she said only "My God /" and bowed 
To the floor, beautiful worshipper ! now raised 
In her adoring and gazing so fixed. 
" What is it this most admirable child sees ?" 
Are her eyes so fixed on the mystery of the veil, 
Shrouding the ark, or is she ravished to vision ? 
Only a veil between, beautiful worshipper ! 

Sacred temple, cast the veil that hides aside 
To this living veil embrace ! 



Mary and her Companions. 113 

Veil to cover, veil to show, veil to veil 
And to unveil Messiah's Face. 

Veil whose earthly substance spotless, unconsumed 

Shall round the Eternal shine, 
Envelope in its tender folds, and intact 

Hold the fires of the Divine. 

Receive this Candlestick the Holy Ghost 

With purest gold relays, 
Upon whose branches fair He sets his lights, 

His seven stars to upraise. 

Receive this Table where the cup of wisdom pours 

The sweetest wine e'er shed ; 
This precious Table where the Lord designs 

His Bread of Life to spread. 

Receive this Altar of perfumes, O veiled courts ; 

This holy Ark within whose breast 
Thy great Lawgiver, and Jehovah's equal Son, 

Himself shall stoop to rest. 

This throne of glory and this chariot swift, 

Messiah's banner from unfurled, 
Upon which, glorious to behold, the King shall make 

His entry to the world. 



1 14 Rosa Immaculata. 

Receive, O Temple, to thy Holies, this new spouse 

Of beauty incomparable, 
This Temple indestructible, this Sion sanctified, 

This Tabernacle admirable. 

How long wilt thou, O temple grand, t* shadows cling, 

And glory in the letter dead ? 
Behold the rays of grace that now enlighten thee 

From this sweet suppliant shed. 

Haste, temple, thy Redeemer hastes, His feet 

Are at thy closed gates, 
His voice is in thy porticoes, arouse ! 

His harbinger here waits. 

She whom Isaiah long foretells hath come, 

Your veils to her renounce 
Who bears the sweet accomplishment 

The oracles divine announce. 



" Glory of prophets, immaculate" 

" J°J °f those who hope in thee, immaculate" 

" Companion of devout souls, immaculate, pray for us /" 



Nazareth without Mary. 1 1 < 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

NAZARETH WITHOUT MARY. 
"saint anna, juerok op compassion, peat FOR its." 

Joachim and Anna leaving the gates and onward. 

AND Joachim wept even more than Anna, 
Saying to his spouse, leaving the gates, 
Turning back toward his home, " alack, nevermore." 
Child of our old age ! Star of our heart, alack! 
Smiling in the lone old cot on the hill, 
Looking out into the fields of our fathers, 
I shall see thee no more ! He has given 
Up from the heart the best child and dearest 
Ever surrendered to God, and his heart bleeds free 
As his gift. Anna, kind searcher for comfort, 
"Not so sad !" " not yet so sad ! we may come 
Up every year to see how the child grows." 
But how lonesome for our dear parents to come 
Back to Nazareth without her ! lonesome the house 
Late so lovely, th* dear old house so barren ! 



u6 Rosa Immaculata. 

JoACHIiM. 

Only two of us now in the little house, 

Anna. It might almost seem but a dream, 

So certain we imagined, or thought it a real, 

As though life could wear such a phase of Heaven. 

Anna. 

Only the graces of God never leave doubt. 

His supernatural is always a real. 

Whoever walks where his dear graces fall 

May look for them into the well of truth, 

At the bottom of their souls, for the well 

Keeps their picture — every lineament of the divine. 

It is in our souls to recognize God. 

Joachim. 

When He turns His face toward us in graces. 

O how in his gift of Mary ! Yes, I see 

Her distinct, palpable, clear in my soul, 

Going up to the Galleries at the first call 

Of the trumpets for prayer. Sing the hymn, Anna, 

Let us worship with her. 

[And Anna commenced— 
" How amiable thy tabernacles, Lord," 



Nazareth without Mary. 117 

But broke on tV first stanza down in her tears, 
And Joachim knelt — 't was his wont with the sun 
Going down — only he more hastened to kneel, 
With his hands spread and his face toward Sion. 
Hushed, voiceless they pray, but find in their heart 
The pillar of prayer, and each 'gainst it leaned 
In their weakness, and the pillar failed not. 
Pious souls, prayer-illumed, interiorly stayed ! 
Perhaps the prayers of a little girl they had left 
Near the Holies comes back with a blessing. 
They had given her to the same good-giving God 
To whom they lift up their brows in the twilight. 
O Nazareth ! O Moriah ! we have two places 
To stay at now. Which ? Anna, Joachim, Mary ? 

" Saint Anna, pray for us." 
"Holy Mary, Immaculate, pray for us." 
" Saint Anna, mirror of patience, pray for us" 
"Rule of perfect obedience, Immaculate, pray for us." 
"Saint Anna, bulwark of the Church, pray for us." 
" Crown of Patriarchs, Immaculate, pray for us." 
— Litany of St. Anna and of the Immaculate 
Conception. 



Ii8 Rosa Immaculata. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

MORIAH WITH MARY. 

"Jllatcr 2tntabUi0, ora pxo nobis." 

Sunset-Sacrifice. 

' " The forums and places of business are closed : crowds are on the streets 
coming from their places of occupation, or strolling to enjoy the freshness of 
the evening air beyond the Jaffa, or the Damascus gate. Suddenly seven 
Levites, standing on an elevated part of the temple above, sound their golden 
trumpets : — 

'And loud in air 
Call men to prayer 
From the tapering summits of tall minarets.' 
" Those who wished to be present at the offering, might be seen wending their 
way up the ascent to, or through the courts and halls of, the temple. Others 
were content to turn and adore, as they saw the column of sacrificial smoke as- 
cending, with the white incense around it like a binding of ribbon, until it was 
flattened into frescoes against the far vault of heaven." — Ave Maria.* 

ALL heads and hearts are bowed as first 
Before Jehovah down, Levite and priest. 
There is a gallery o'er all uplift : 
Behind the screens Moriah's vestals stand, 
Seven temple-maids and one, forgetful 
Once to sing ; a present Deity is felt, 

* A Magazine for the Blessed Yirgin, published at Notre Dame, 
by Yery Rev. E. Sorin, of Ind. 



Moriah with Mary. 119 

All of the people rapt and worshipful beneath, 

Jew, convert, awe-touched Gentile, each in place, 

Hushed to the calm that settles after sacrifice ; 

And then, recollect as one the virgins chant 

As erst, standing behind their holy screens, 

Only a voice more ethereal, worshipful, 

Ran through th' psalm as a stream from Lebanon, — 

Only a silver rill, mid silver rills 

The silveriest, a new voice, and the people 

Looked up, up to the galleries golden, screened, 

Up to the over-arching,* uncertain — 

Prone down to more homage, people and priest, 

And the cloud grew dense over the censers. 

'•'How amiable, O Lord of hosts, Thy courts," 

God, never gone so worshipped in Sion : 

Mary present prays with and for Israel. 

" One day in thy courts !" Thou hast had one day, 

And all the sunsets for eleven years 

Thou wilt come to pray for Israel, thy fervor 

Mounting as a flame that is steady, thy fervor 

Mounting as the flame that increaseth. Pray on ! 

" O ye heavens, drop down Messiah \" 

Said Judith, 
To the virgins, companions, in their colloquy, 

* The open heavens, or clear and glorious sky, which was the 
only roof to the court of the people. 



120 Rosa Immaculata. 

After, apart, How she sang ! How she sang ! 

Said Rebekah, Saw ye the tribune look up 

From the court ? Blessed be grates ! Seen and not seen. 

Answered Rachel, It is charming! Saw we not 

All the people gazing up from below, 

All in their wonder ? Blessed ! responds Judith, 

I heard only that angel I saw in my dream, 

And she turns and goes out seeking Mary. 

There is a half hour yet ere the gates are shut : 

A half hour with Mary before we sleep ! 

Preparatory precious before we drop 

Last into the hands of God for the night. 

Judith found Mary walking with Anna 

Under the orange-trees in the gardens, 

And the three walked under the trees till one came 

To lead the new Almah-child up to her cell. 

Cell of Mary. 

And the galleries of cells was the third tier 
In the chambers,* and last, Mary's, most retired, 
" The cell of Susannah now departed," 
Nearest and looking down upon the Holy 

* This chapter descriptive of the cell and visit of Anna is tra- 
ditional, from visions of Sister Emmirach and others, as also the 
presentation of Mary in part, and that seven was the number of 
Mary's companions in the temple, &c. 



Moriah with Mary. 121 

Of Holies curtained close, over beyond. 

Or there was an opening upon one side 

Before which tapestry hung, and three steps 

Lead up thereto, and from this place one could see 

Into the temple and the Sanctuary and the veil 

Of the Holies. Sweetest cell ! Her heart leaped 

Up as she entered and saw it — saw the opening. 

This, then, is her room. A stuffed rug extends 

By the wall, where Mary will sleep, a lamp 

Hangs from the roo£ — under the lamp is a stool. 

By standing upon the stool Mary can see 

To read by the lamp, and proceeding to unroll 

A parchment whereon are some prayers given to read, 

Purely obedient, dear little perfect one, 

Careful for each leaf of praise as in its turn, 

Missing naught, attentive, yet gathering fast, 

As some priest hereafter making swift haste 

In his mass, eager to get nearer God, reads, 

Seeing the three stairs and tapestry beyond. 

" Who is at the door ?" Anna the matron, 
Smiling to see the little one upon the stool. 
Kind Anna, to God's little unmothered ones, 
Had she come to wipe the tears and to tell 
Her mother had been a little girl too 
In these courts ? placing a plate with some berries 



122 Rosa Immaculata. 

On a table near, and a pitcher beside, 

The vision she saw at her entrance told 

All was well. Mary, never discomposed, 

Steps down from the stool. Anna says, simply, 

Cf I think you will like your room." And Mary, 

Looking toward th' three stairs, said more with her eyes 

Than her lips, ' I like,' knelt to kiss the hand 

Of Anna and beg for a blessing on her first night, 

So artless, peaceful, fervent, Anna's face said 

This time sure the Lord hath sent us a treasure. 

Alone. 

O soul when most alone, then least alone ! 
Who loveth God only a little knows, 
O solitudes and God ! who knows, needeth 
Not to be told. Who knoweth not, still worse 
Can only by, be informed. Having prayed 
On the topmost of the three steps, covered 
With the crimson coverlet, sleep, God's child ! 



Looking in at Nazareth. 123 



CHAPTER XX. 

LOOKING IN AT NAZARETH. 
"8AINT anna, geace of pateiaechs, feay FOE US." 

WHILE Mary sleeps we might look in at Nazareth. 
Talking still of the dear child you have given to 
God; 
Your eyes see her not, yet your hearts see clear, 
Your souls see her now sleeping in the arms 
Of God, and that is your calm, precious calm ! 
Ere you turn to your beds there is her couch. 
The little stuffed coverlet of blue. 
Anna cannot kiss and cover the child 
To-night, but the angels can ; she is in the House 
Of God ; better place even than a mother's house. 
So she stoops to kiss the coverlet now, 
Where she has slept, and turns to her bed. 'Tis best ; 
They are living for Abraham's Bosom now. 



124 Rosa Immaculata. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

MARY AND MIDNIGHT. 

" Uegtna 2titgelontm, ova pro nobis." 

O soul "when most alone, then least alone ! 

IT is midnight now in Sion, 
In the tabernacles lovely, 
'Neath the coverlets of crimson, 
Nested, O, so dovely ! 

Sleeps our princess from the hills, 
Left within these courts this morn, 

Wandering in dreaming by the rills, 
Mayhap, where she was born. 

Seeing Joachim, blessed father ! fold the sheep, 

Mother Anna, at a window, 
Looking out for her : pleasant sleep ! 
Little arms akimbo, 

Little feet over-lapping 

Down beneath the sheet, 
Gathered up a-napping, 

O it is so sweet ! 



Mary and Midnight. 1 25 

Dearest little feet, so still ! 

Little arms, nearer to the brain, 

Sympathetic with the will, 

Knowing not to refrain, 

Petrified in dreaming 

As they lifted up to Anna 
By the window, in that seeming, 

Sleeping still in that sweet manner. 

O she looks so resting 

Who never had looked weary ! 
In her brilliant nesting, 

So peaceful and so cheery ! 

And the moon through the slitting 

In the wall sends no beam 
In her brightness half so fitting 

As the smiling of her dream. 

Let me linger, let me wait, 
On the sleeping glory of thy state ; 
On this first night consecrate, 
Watch the couch immaculate. 

Not a rustle, not a sound, but a light, 
Marvellous and sweet to-night; 
Winding up each staircase, 
Magnetized toward this fair face, 



126 Rosa Immaculata. 

Winding here — every stair-step 

But a pictured staff of worship, 

Silent struck, borne along, 

Come the Court of Heavenly song, 
All the temple stairways, brighter each than Jacob's ladder, 
And the dreams of all men now are growing gladder. 

What is gleaming on the marbles, on the marbles far below ? 
Only shadows of white wings 
And heavenly things, 
Such as harps touched to silence, 
Moving upward in celestial reverence, 
Touching up the whiteness, or the marble's snow. 

Every staircase bright with the sandals 
Of ascending angels, 
Wondrous night ! 
Touch our sight ! 

What is that, that lights the jewels on the walls far a-down ? 
Leader Raphael's crown 
Inclined, with his angels, mute drawing near, — 
Gabriel, already here — 
Sweeping from the upper coast, 
Raphael and his starry host 
Stooped to reconnoitre, 
How they love to loiter. 



Mary and Midnight. 127 

And she sleeps in the little cell aloft so calm, 
Every gentle breathing to our souls distilling balm 
Whom the thought of God inwraps in sleep, 
And voluntary guards of angels stray 
And stay 
Her watch to keep. 

As God doth thy sleeping, pure child, only hold, 
So nightly teach our hearts in sleep with God to fold ; 
And in thy Heaven-surrounded slumber thus, 
Queen of the angels, dream of us. 
Of our wants and of our woes. 
Dream of us, our Mystic Rose ! 

Our own sweet Rose, our own sweet human Dove, 
Sleeping within the dear pavilion of His love. 

Every flitting night-hour through 

Bearing grace to thee as dew, 
We are of thy race, all our wants, all our woes, 
Recollect with God, immaculate, dear Rose ! 



128 Rosa Immaculata. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

MORNING AND MARY. 

"ftlater abmtrabtlts, era pro nobis." 

"Day breaks on temple-roofs and towers: 
The city sleeps, the palms are still ; 
The fairest far of earth's fair flowers, 
Mount Sion's sacred hill." — Fabepv. 

THE star of the morning has arisen ; 
What a fair little room in the glow 
Of the dawning, wainscot and tapestry, 
Little cot low down by the wall of crimson, 
Scarcely dishevelled, pitcher and bath-bowl antique 
In the corner beyond, mirror of steel 
Such as princesses used in those days, 
And a table. The table was opposite, 
And it stood upon the back of doves 
Curiously carved, and on the table stood 
The plate with some large berries thereon 
That Anna had brought in the evening, 
And there are the steps waiting for Mary, 
And we see the pure child awake first here. 
God the last thought out to the sea of sleep 



Morning and Mary. 129 

And God first on the shore of the awake. 

We poor polluteds return up drenched by dreams 

All but the heavenly. We poor imperfects 

Come slow back — Ludlow ? Burlington ? Notre Dame ? 

Where ? where ? not so Mary. She opens her eyes — 

" She hath doves' eyes, and her cheeks are encrimsoned 

With beauty," and a soul sending thanksgiving 

Swift as a first thought to th' God of th' morning — ■ 

Arises, kneels, gives by her cot another first moment 

To God, and then the pure child, Mary, bathes — 

She who was always pure, body and soul, 

To her no soil of th' earth ever cleaving — 

Dresses, puts back her curls of gold in th' net 

And puts on the veil that the High Priest 

Had given at the altar leisurely swift, 

Goes straightway to the precious prayer-place up. 

And Anna the almah stood by her door 

And waited, and when Mary came from her cell 

Kissed her and led her out to the terrace 

To see the sun rise over the mountains. 

Morning from Moriah, it was magnificent ! 

Jerusalem, her glory of mountains 

As an army with banners in the sun, 

Intermediate vales and the city, outline 

And detail, stately trees, cedars on Lebanon, 

Stravv-thatrhed cottages and shepherds lower down, 



130 Rosa Immaculata. 

Hills, sheep, goats, cattle-spotted pastures, 
Deep cool meadows, and down in the city. 
Palaces and stalls and low flat covered houses, 
The Corinthian gate of brass where Joachim 
Had blessed her last night, going out homeward ; 
All this sees Mary, all this sees Anna 
With Mary. Now Anna had loved this terrace, 
But somehow all from it never had looked 
Radiant as now. Do n't we know ? Mary 
Is beside her, and the heart of Anna 
Was knit to Mary. Moreover Mary 
Overlooks Tabor, Gethsemane, that mountain 
Beyond. Is n't it touching, this young mother 
In the freshness and glow of this first morning, 
Overlooking Calvary ? She may see not 
As yet the tracks where her Divine Son shall walk 
In His passion, but it 's our impression, 
As that of the Fathers, a future hangs 
Over each one of these spots, a something 
That threatens her, and she turns with a sigh 
Elsewhere to rest the mystical glance 
Of her soft troubled tycs. 

Beautiful morning ! 
All prayers gush more free, and the streets leading 
Up to Moriah and the porticoes of the temple 
Are filled, and the priests marvelled at this, the courts 



Morning and Mary. 131 

Filled so early. O come to our temples 
In the morning, sweet Mary, at prayers ! 
O come to our masses ! The sun rises 
Over the mountains and the trumpets blow 
And Anna and Mary go into the choir, 
Pausing within the sacred corridors, 
Ere they go into the galleries to draw 
Their veils closer down. 

Together they come 
Where the almahs sit in the place of honor* 
With heads bowed down in their veils ; and Mary 
Repeated with them and with all the people 
The eighteen prayers of Esdras, and implored 
With all Israel that Christ promised 
So long, saying with the priests at the altars, 

" Let thy name, God ! be praised and glorified in this 
world \ which thou hast created according to thy good 
pleasure ; vouchsafe to establish thy reign, let redemption 
flourish and Messiah come quickly f"\ 

* According to a tradition preserved by Basil, St. Cyrel, and 
others there was " an honorable and distinct place " reserved or 
assigned for the almahs of the temple, for all feast-days and at the 
daily morning and evening sacrifice. 

\ " This prayer is the most ancient of all the Jews have preserved 
(Basanage. b. vii., ch. IV), and Prideaux affirms it was long in use 
before the coming of Christ." — Note to OrsinL Also " eighteen 
prayers of Esdras." 



132 Rosa Immaculata. 

And the people in chorus responded " Amen ! 
Amen !" then were sung from Aggeas and Zachirias, 

" The Lord unbinds those who are fettered ; the Lord 
enlightens those who are blind. 

" The Lord upraises those who are crushed down ; the 
Lord loves those who are just. 

" The Lord has care over strangers ; He will protect 
the widow and the orphan, and the ways of sinners He will 
destroy. 

" The Lord shall reign forever and ever ; thy God, 
Sion, shall rule the nations."* 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



ALMAHHOOD. 

" forgo fibelts, ova pvo nobis." 

Scexe. — After the prayers, Anna the matron laying "before !Mary a 

ride. 

Anna. 

THIS rule hath Zachary drawn. All live 
By holy precept and symmetry here 



* Leo of Modeno. — Maimonides. 



Almahhood. 133 

That render them as stars, my child, moving 
In their orbits of order and of beauty 
As the Creator hath so disposed : read. 

(Mary reads the rule.) 

Anna. 

Can you keep it, dear child ? 
Mary. 

By God's good help. 

Anna. 

I will bring you in to the virgins' 

Magnificent Work-rooms. 

(Mary entering with Anna.) 

The chambers of the virgins,* a gallery 
Or hall having its separate roof or awn 
In form of a pavilion, by inner porticoes, 
Superbly curtained, floor of precious woods, 
Polished as ebony, enriched with those leaves 
Golden, and carved m the wood. And the room 
Had, as each room on its north side, its door 
And staircase leading up to the chambers 
Over above, which were but a range of cells. 

* Mater Admirabilis, pp. 388-404. 



134 Rosa Immaculata. 

Magnificent chamber ! on its smooth floor 

Of Juniper sit th' simple wheels of th' virgins 

Who spin, and the baskets with spools, red, blue, 

And purple, all colors dyed in the wool, 

Or the shining flax swathing the distaff; 

And here in the morning after the prayers 

Are the virgins busy as bees at the wheel, 

The loom, or the frame where embroidery is made 

For the vestings and holy partitions. 

There sits Sarah whose name is my princess, 

In a folding chair at a little hand-loom 

For weaving, moving the light shuttle 

Across with hand so graceful, fair Sarah ! 

She is the eldest now of the maids in the temple. 

In front of the wainscoting, gracing the walls, 

Forming cases for windows opening out 

On the country, spinning hemp or flax, sit 

Abigail, Rebekah, and Rachel — Esther 

And Judith a little apart, at work 

With their needles — Anna the little one — 

Anna was two years the senior of Mary — 

Winding spools. Mary asks to help Anna ; 

Now they had not thought to give Mary 

Tasks while yet so tender, but having come 

Up to the industrial chamber, straightway 

She seeketh out that which her hands may do, 



Almahhoo?. 135 

Setting her seal on industry so young, 

And the mistresses, thinking but to please 

Her, set her task to wind spools with Anna. 

Delighted Anna, was n't -she happy t' have 

Mary help her ? They gave them a basket 

Of spools — the color was blue. Her robe and shoes 

Were of the same color. Dear little spool-winders ! 

Did n't they make up a picture that was pretty ? 

And the two wrought together and silence reigned 

In those " grave galleries," every thing recalling 

In sweetness and awe the House of the Lord. 

Gardens of Solomon. 

And when the evening had come the virgins 

Descended from the choir to the gardens. 

It was after the sunset, and Anna, 

The orphan, walked again with Mary and made 

To her a present of half of her flowers — 

A bed Eleazer, who had charge of the gardens, 

Had given her, where she filled the vases 

Assigned for the altar. And Mary tended 

The bed with Anna. And when it was seen 

The lilies are more delicious she tends, 

There was no flower in the garden she might not prune. 

And she waters the shrubs at the sunset, 



I36 Rosa Immaculata. 

And she plucks off the bud worm-corroded, 

Or the leaf rust-defiled, as unworthy 

A garden of God. And the pomegranate-trees 

Have more fruit where she walks and touches 

The scarlet boughs. And " the calamus flourished," 

And the camphor-tree and the cinnamon, 

And the rose-beds and tb' spice-beds, and all the rare 

And beautiful exotics inhaled perfumes 

From the Lily of Nazareth come down 

To .tend them, from the Rose of Anna, 

Come down to smile on their buddings and choose 

Out the fairest to worship and die at the altar. 

And this care was precious to Mary, 

And Anna joyed in the joy of Mary. 

And Mary often thought of Joachim as she walked 

Amid the gardens, fondest of fathers, 

He had surrounded her cradle with flowers. 

The dear parents on the Hill ! Our Anna 

We left turning from the couch she had kissed. 

And after a time she came to enjoy 

The couch kept in waiting and the vases 

Or cups from which she had drunk, the hood, 

And several little garments she had worn 

When a child, preciously preserved. Joachim, 

Most of his pastime now was to sit 'neath the palms 

On the lawn before the door where Mary, 



First Visit to Mary. 137 

Little daughter, had loved to sit, and last 

Came to sit there most of th' hours through th' day. 

Anna, whose tender eye nothing escaped 

Of his pensiveness and turnings yet more 

From all his flocks and care, said to herself, 

His heart is sick for the face of the child. 

But one day when a messenger came 

To the Hills, he brought a basket of flowers, 

And Joachim kissed the flowers and wept 

When they came. Every flower he knew whose hand 

Had touched it, and he kissed every flower, 

And no more was he sad after the present 

Of Mary. O the presents of Mary ! 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

FIRST VISIT TO MARY. 

u Saint 7\n\\a, ucssd full of %vate, prat) for 110." 

AND the year being gone, Joachim brought 
- Of willows from the river of Cison,* 
Between Nazareth and th' Mountain of Prophets, 
And wove 3 basket for Anna's store. 
And the dwr parents of Mary journeyed 



* A small river between Nazareth and Mount Carmel. 



138 Rosa Immaculata., 

Up to Jerusalem to visit the child ; 

And Joachim and Anna pass through the gate 

Of Rama. Joachim seeing not as erst 

The green banner of Judas Maccabas float 

From the tower — up through the great city, 

Up through the gate of Corinthian brass, 

Seeing the beautiful one of the temple, 

Standing in a vestibule at the entrance, 

Coming to meet them down through the porches. 

And Mary knelt for their blessing and kissed 

TV hands of her parents and led them to Zachary, 

Walking with Eleazer in the courts ; 

And Zachary was glad at their coming, 

And when it was known th' parents of Mary 

Had come there was gladness in all the temple, 

For all of the Levites and chief priests knew 

Joachim, and held him in honor : thus 

Was it the first time and last and ever. 

Anna had brought a basket of raiment, 
Garments of blue embroidered for Mary, 
Slippers and tunics for such of the almahs 
As had no mothers, and some gift for all. 
Anna's basket held something for Ncemi 
Moreover, kind mistress of the almahs, 
Good, pious Ncemi, quaint but good. Good 



Immaculate Embroiderer. 139 

In the eyes of Mary, and that is sweet praise. 

And the matrons showed Anna how Mary 

Could seam and had commenced to embroider. 

Happiest Anna ! happiest Joachim ! 

But their joy was to see the child, to see 

Mary, kiss Mary, sit by Mary — and drink 

Every word in of that voice penetrating 

And sweetly unguent. Beautifully had 

She also grown ; so tall, so modest, and grave. 

To worship God and see Mary was joy 

For a year, past and to come ; when they go back 

To the hillside again they will count the months, 

They will count the days between, to go up 

And visit Mary ; it will grow, the sum 

Of their lives, to be, dear saints ! 



CHAPTER XXV. 



IMMACULATE EMBROIDERER. 

"Dirgo $rut>enttssima, ova pro nobt0.' 

/% ND the second year embroidery was given 
*• -*- To Mary and spinning of flax and hemp, 
And it was a marvel, all that she did. 



140 Rosa Immaculata. 

No one knotted so neatly and swift the skeins 

From the spindle and laid them in such heaps 

For the spoolers, yet no haste, only careful, 

And never a moment running to waste. 

She was set to pick up bits and to keep 

The baskets in order, all which she did well, 

Order was always a rule with Mary. 

'Tis a shame slovenly to do what we do for God, 

And all things for Him, are they not done ? 

Giving herself from her waking, three hours 

To prayer, and to th' needle or wheel as appointed, 

Running never over, falling not short, 

Never was holy rule so holy kept. 

And so fair wrought Mary the vestures, 

None thought to be jealous, being excelled. 

How could one ever be jealous of Mary ? 

Her work or her worship ? Rose of our race ! 

How can one ever be jealous of Mary ? 

To be ashamed of in heaven. My God ! 

Will they ever get there who are jealous of Mary ? 

Of the rights of His mother ? Her honor 

Is God's, who may ever be jealous of Mary? 

None at least of these seven sisters who stood 

At the altar of Sion when she was vowed. 

O sweetest companions ! here was sweet friendship. 

Sisters in cloister love one another ; 



Immaculate Embroiderer. 141 

See how Mary loves each virgin sister, 
See each think to love her in turn, or love 
"Without thinking, which is simplest and best. 
And the needle-work of Mary was most praised 
Of all ever done in the temple ; and there had been 
Aforetime cunning embroiderers, well skilled 
In working in the wools, byssus and gold, 
Flowers that stood out on th' rich stuffs in beauty ; 
But now the adornings were given to Mary, 
So grew the flowers under her fingers, 
Pomegranate-embroidery, lily and grape-work, 
Wheat-heads in silver or gold, and all flowers, 
Or vinings as blown out in gardens, 
Industrial immaculate embroiderer ! 

And the fourth year Mary was in the temple 
It was pleasing unto the priests she should 
Prom that time commence a veil for the Holy 
Of Holies, the glory of which had not been seen, 
And they provided them silks from Persia 
Of the color of gold, thick for stiffness 
And sheen, and pearls sent by Eastern princes, 
Emeralds, carbuncles, and all precious stones, 
And gave them to Mary, and Mary commenced 
The veil. Let us contemplate her seated 
Upon a dais somewhat as a throne, 



142 Rosa Immaculata. 

And the maidens her companions with embroideries 

Beneath — vestment and tapestry — winding 

Their byssus, setting their stitches, angels 

Around Mary, frequently hovering — 

One threading her needles that grew not empty, 

Smoothing the line so byssus never tangled. 

Another with reed tracing the pattern 

Of altars or tower, symbols, figures, and signs, 

Or shading the brilliance so gold never dazzled, 

Or touching her hand and it never wearied. 

Why should n't th' angels help her, she was their queen ? 

Murmuring of Paradise, fanning her brow, 

Sitting at her feet as she wrought, unseen 

By her companions lower down, no doubt, 

Yet seen by Mary. And under her hand 

Scarlet pomegranates burn into the silk. 

There are roses that are rubies, lilies 

In pearls, flowers flashing in all precious stones, 

And this veil it was so magnificent: 

It was not finished till the seventh year, 

And was a wonder and prized by the priests. 

(S Sedes Sapientice, or a pro nobis" 



Admirabilis Spinner. 14^ 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

ADMIRABILIS SPINNER. 

Uegtnct iHrgmum, ova pro nobis." 

UT spinning the dear olden saints loved most 
To picture their Virgin. Princesses, queens, 
Clotilda, Margaret, Elizabeth of Hungary, 
Royal dames in the more sanctified ages, 
Gather their maidens about them and spin, 
In love with their model. It is so fair 
To see Mary at work as the humblest 
Of us — at the work of any simple maid ; 
And Mary was lovelier more at the wheel. 
Earlier in the morning the virgins sat 
At their wheels. Mary loved most to be humble ' 
And sat lowest down spinning the vestures, 
Meek queen of the virgins. Of this time and toil 
There is this admirable old 

Legend of the Purple. 

Then came beautiful Rachel to the chamber of spinning, one 
morning, 
After or next, 1 am musing, unto a feast, 



1 4-f Rosa Immaculata. 

Bearing silk, hyacinth, byssus and purple, colors, divers for 
spinning, 
A task to the virgins sent in by the high-priest. 

Give Esther the purple, said Sarah, we might any of us take 
it, but then 
It was Esther of old who was sceptred and crowned ; 
Or, said sly Rebekah, here is Abigail, whose scriptural mother 
we ken, 
The wife of a king better known on Judean ground. 

Shall Esther or Abigail take the imperial so grand ? we walk 
in their wake ? 
I am holder of all, smiles Rachel, you've forgot ; 
Shall they like the Persian, or David the king, from me be 
presuming to take 
Unless they be favored to win by the lot ? 

Then Rebekah brought lots, and Sarah as elder, presided in 
glee, 
And they cast for the purple, those beautiful girls, 
Seven representative roses, or jewels, those women sweet- 
pictured in Scripture we see — 
A ring, Mary the diamond of virgins, inpearls. 

They cast for the colors in mirth, the virgins before their 
wheels in the hall, 
And the purple to spin fell to Mary. 



Admirabilis Spinner. 1 15 

Sweet smiling out each word, said Anna, whom Mary loved, 
How could it otherwise fall ? 
Can the lot of the righteous vary? 

Said Rachel, said Abigail, said Esther, said charming 
Rebekah, said all, it is good ; 
And they named her the Queen of Virgins then, 
And so sweet their dispositions there seen an angel unveiled 
in sereneness by stood, 
Descended to say at the words of the virgins, Amen. 

" Amen, what you say is not vain. Amen, and your words 
shall the accomplishment be." 
Of all that the prophets of the Lord they have said, 
^.nd he touched their spirits, and they stood round Mary as 
stars round th' moon, admiring to see 
Their queen by the side of the angel un-afraid. 

Meek Queen of the Virgins, spinning the purple, 

Admirabilis spinner, so we have said, 

The olden saints loved to picture or paint 

Their Virgin, and th' love has come down to our day, 

Thus one of late, in an admirable new book* 

Of Mary, fresh as May-leafage unrolling, 

* Mater Ad.mrabuis. pp. 28-29. 



146 Rosa Immaculata. 

Shows Ms pilgrim coming to visit 
Hi? virgin spinner in the temple. 

" The pilgrim looks in surprise, and ve 7 soon feel3 as if the 
air around this fair flower of the field and lily of the valley 
were embalmed with the perfumes of silence and recollection. 
He sees her occupied in simply spinning flax; near her, on the 
right, is a distaff resting upon a slender standard, and on the left 
a lily rising out of a crystal vase, and bending its flexible stalk 
toward Mary, raising her eyes to contemplate it more easily, in- 
hales the heavenly devrdrops and virginal perfumes. Absorbed 
in her meditation, the most holy child has suspended her work ; 
her shuttle, become motionless, falls from her hand, while her left 
hand still holds a light thread which remained joined to the flax 
in the distaff: a foot of this most holy spinner rests upon a stool, 
near which lies an open book, spread out en a work-basket filled 
with shuttles and skeins. 

•• The features of the youthful Mary express a purity in which 
there is nothing of earth; her countenance is modestly tinged; 
the ringlets of her golden hair are just perceptible through tho 
wavings of a transparent veil which covers her neck ; her pure 
virginal brow, slender figure, and delicate limbs, give her a youth- 
ful appearance full of grace and truthfulness. It is truly *he 
Virgin of virgins, it is truly Mary, and Mary at an age when 
but few works of art have sought to represent her, to excite the 
veneration and love of the faithful." 

<s Mater purissima, Mater castissima, or a pro nobis." 
"Mater inuiolata, Mater intemerata, ora pro nobis."". 




Other. Parental Visits. 147 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

OTHER PARENTAL VISITS. 
"SAINT ANNA, PRAISE OF ALL SAINTS, PEAT FOR VS." 

ND Joachim and Anna came again to Jerusalem 
And her parents came to visit Mary each year. 
" And I was glad when they said, Let us go 
Up to the house of the Lord." Dear parents, 
So was the heart of Mary rejoiced, 
And the almahs were gay for the joy it gave 
Their sister, gay for a feast-day given 
When Anna came, and gay for the presents — 
Such a pretty basket of embroidered mittens ! 
The young so love new gifts, and from the hand 
That is reverenced. It was nice to get gifts 
From so gracious a matron, godly, and dear. 
None came to the temple so gladdening the almahs, 
None brought such presents, — beautiful birds to sing 
As sweet prisoners in the chambers of the house 
Of the Lord. " And the sparrow hath found a nest 
For her young even at thy altars, O Lord 
Of hosts," said Joachim, and took a nest 
When he would come down, from the eaves 
Of the house of Nazareth for the altars, 



143 Rosa Immaculata. 

Dear, pious, David-like, poetic Joachim ! 
If poesy is not piety, piety is poesy — 
A nest of sparrows and many cages of birds 
From the hill-country this time and other times 
Brought he, and the almahs hung the cages 
With nightingales from the gardens of Anna 
In the rose-thickets on the terraces 
That throve by their casement on the verandas, 
And the bulbuls, ravishing singers, a nest 
With old birds and young, in the cornel-tree 
In the garden, where they would walk at twilight. 
And Mary would lead Joachim down to see 
The glory of the lilies ; and Simeon, a man 
Drawn oft to the temple for fasting and prayer, 
Sometimes walked with Joachim and Mary 
In the gardens ; again Eleazer and Anna, 
That Anna the orphan and friend of Mary, 
Or her mother, Elisabeth and Zd.cha.ry, 
Dear group ! would join them, for Elisabeth came 
Oft up from Hebron and joined Anna here 
In these visits, dear kinswoman so pious ! 
Then Joachim banqueted with the priests, 
And the matron of almahs made a feast 
For Anna, and Mary sat at her right hand. 
And Mary never fasted in those days lest 
The heart of her mother should be saddened: 



Almah-Brifj-s. 149 



She kept many fasts other times for God, 
But Mary ate at the banquet with Anna, 
And it made Anna glad to see Mary eat : 
And more and more as the beauty of Mary 
Developed, Anna was glad and consoled. 
Sweet was the loveliness of her sweet face 
To Anna, beautiful every movement, 
Gesture, or her repose, beautiful virgin ! 
But fairer and dearer the fragrancies 
Of her soul and her virtues. The matrons 
And widows all spoke of her praise to Anna, 
And Joachim saw how the aged priests 
Whenever she passed murmured a blessing. 
And the heart of Anna and Joachim 
Were full for sweetness. Happy in coming, 
Happy in going to come again. Precious 
Be thy going. Let us abide with Mary. 
Days of such almahhood filling but too soon. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

ALMAH-BRIDES, OR THE EDEN-SACRAMENT 

SARAH was the first betrothed by the priests 
Of the temple. And for the betrothal 
Of the almahs Anna the matron made 



150 Rosa Immaculata. 

A feast, and the priests gave her wherewith to make 
It royal. And if the almah had not parents, 
And was an orphan, they likewise made her marriage, 
As a father for the daughter born in his house. 
, Sarah had parents and many kinsfolk, 
And was only betrothed in the temple 
And led unto the house of her mother 
For the nuptials. But Anna, the matron, 
Made a feast-day and all of the almahs 
Made Sarah presents according to custom. 
Mary the youngest, embroidered her bride-shoes,. 
And the feet that wore them never went wrong, 
Pursuing the sweet ways of pleasantness ; 
And Rebekah, next in age unto Sarah, 
Was betrothed the year later. Beautiful bride ! 
Not so grand-like and stately as Sarah, 
But by archery of mouth and of eye more sparkling; 
Just a rose newly blown in her bride-robes ; 
Through her silver veil, handsome Rebekah ! 
The rich robes only richened round her blushing, 
Only shone round her beauty outshone. 
Rebekah had no mother, her father 
Was abroad, and the priests having the charge, 
She was both betrothed and given in marriage 
From the altars, and the almahs kept seven days 
Her feast ; and to Mary there had been given 



Almah-Brides. 15 l 

Pearls and rubies to work in her sandals, 

And she wove a crown of flowers and jewels, — 

The jewels her father had sent home from Asia — 

And the bridegroom of Rebekah was young 

And comely as Jacob — her father had chosen, 

And he had seen Rebekah when but a child, 

And then loved her, — and Mary crowned her bride-brow, 

And it was beautiful, for Love and Mary were there. 

Abigail and Rachel, who were of the same age 

And kinsmaidens or cousins, were betrothed 

In one day in the sweet year following — 

In their robes of beauty just like two jewels 

Dropped into a basket of roses, dear brides ! 

Two more were betrothed in the eighth or ninth year 

Of our dearer Mary's fair almahhood, 

Esther and Judith, and Mary wrought their veils 

And the High priest blest them. The High priest 

Always blessed the bride-veil of an almah. 

All of the almahs are gone who welcomed in Mary, 
All of the almahs, but one, and she is going, 
Yet not by marriage, sweet, pallid Anna. 
Sad is it not almost, to see our roses 
Even from the altars gathered so ? plucked 
From the very side of Mary, beloved, 
Others chosen to their places, is it not sad ? 



1 : 1 Rfi :.-. L D tACULATA. 

V :. : , unto us, snowing how the mothers 
Of Jerusalem are :: weep for their dan; 
Or glorious perchance, some of these :n:;5 
I • 1 1 ■•■ have been mc : h e es to apostles or disciples, 
To some of His sever.:", to marytrs or saints, 
Blest most m weeping fin Him, even as S usannah. 
Tis not irreligious so to contemp" ate 
.\r.i sore after dins living with Mary 
They all made precious wives and mothers 
In Israel, ieai Ahnafas ! Companions c: Mary. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

LAST OF THE SETS V. 

•• lamia udi, ora pro nobis." 

BEHOLD she cometh forth from her chamber 
Clothed in Blue raiment with a white cincture ! 
Who meetech her in the corridors with a kiss 3 
Who goeth with her up to the galleries 
C f t raise ? who standeth beside her in choir? 
Who clings to her side, a shadow :f sweetness 
And beauty evanescent ? Who loveth Mary 
More than :.'. even Judith exceflingi 



Last of the Seven. 153 

Even Anna the orphan whom Mary loved. 

And Mary loved Anna more that she had 

No mother and was orphaned, and had 

No lot or inheritance in Israel, or home 

But the house of her God. She was royal 

And holy, this knew the almahs, not more, 

And loved her : and Mary loved Anna more 

For that dear name of her house. There's a charm 

In a name, — some true, catch not any charm, 

But one I know, named for Anna, I think, 

Of Nazareth Hill, — she is a young woman 

Now, but as oft as into her pure face 

You may look, there is the lines of the charm 

So sweet, you are saying to yourself over, 

She was blessed in her naming, so this came. 

God keep all the Annas ! pure name ! 

Where the powders are made for the censers, 

In the scented laboratory for the incense, 

Mary stands weighing with little golden scales, 

Helping Anna, the matron, compound spices : 

How precious to have Mary help make perfume 

For God ! Who is she in white linen and scarlet 

Standing by Mary ? even she always an orphan, 

Anna, the almah, companion of Mary, 

Haunting you with her eyes — clinging to Mary, 

More and more each blessed day — brightening away ! 
7* 



54 Rosa Lmmaculata. 

O, how these saint-maids love one another ! 
She said her vow a little before Mary, 
Dear, pale Anna ! she will never need unsay. 
When the spices are ground in a mortar 
And finished, they come through a chamber ; 
The knives for the sacrifice here are stored, 
And the vessels, and Mary is standing near 
Unto an urn where the blood is staining — 
Blanched is her cheek ! What aileth her now, 
Weaker even than Anna, looking off in one 
Of those mystical trances ? Daughter of seers! 
Sees she a future where the mystical veil 
Opens — a presentiment behind — blood 
On the curtain ? 

They walk on the terrace — 
Anna has sunk to rest by the fountains, 
Mary smooths back her hair, glossy and jet 
As wing of the raven, royal Jewish hair ! 
Smooths back her hair as any kind mother — 
Was she not, even then, her little mother ? 
Bathes her brow, like the marble for fairness, 
Fevered so faintly, just like the marble, 
Dear brow ! where something as sunset has left 
A faint tinge spreading over or through — takes off 
The red sandals cooling her feet, disposing 
The white tunic and mantle, the mantle 



Last of the Seven. 155 

A snow-white fleece with a border or embroidery 
Of scarlet, Anna of Nazareth had spun — ■ 
And sat at her feet and talked of that rest 
In the Bosom of Abraham, our Father, 
And her words sank as honey into the soul 
Of Anna. 

Later. 

(Scene. — Chamber cf Anna the almah) 

'Tis a virginal cell — uplift — apart 

From the grander temple, yet beautiful 

With gold and with Mary and with death. 

As a star this night in skies that are misty, 

Yet luminous, over th' couch of her drooping flower 

Tenderer than erst, she who was ever all tender, 

Hangs Mary, dear watcher ! renders dying 

So sweet, murmurs Anna, as a dove 

Might murmur, dying of some painless ail 

In its dear nest in the eventide of summer, 

** I had never thought dying to be so sweet." 

The lamp shedding fragrance on the midnight, 

Look on th' picture and learn how to prize Mary : 

A sweet cell breathing of purity, wainscot 

Of cedar veined slightly with silver or gold, 

Meet for virginal bower where all was royal, 



156 Rosa Immaculata. 

And every inmate descendant of priests 

And kings — possible mother of the Messiah-King; 

The spice-lamp overhead shining down on a couch, 

And more than the lamp-glows, soft rays supernal, 

Falling over face lovelier than in choir, 

Looking into the face of Mary, whispering 

Of Paradise. Dear Mary, she even then had, 

And never since hath lost, a predilection 

For dying beds. This is her first. O, the thousands 

She will stand by to help in dying well ! 

Sweet Virgin, stand by ours ! Beautiful chamber ! 

Mary and a saint and th' invisible attendants; 

And death came in as an ambassador, standing 

In muffled sandals reverent in the midst 

Of the angels around the Queen-girl of angels, 

Hanging over the young saint-pillow — Dying, 

It can scarce be wrote, it was so heavenly! 

It is one o'clock, or two by the candles :* 

The lamp shimmers down on the brow of Mary, 

On the spiritual brow beneath, almost an angel's, — 

Hands folded as petals of two white lilies 

Over the crimson coverlet, — breathless Anna, 



* The hour of the night being marked by candles, each one of 
which burned an hour. 



\ 



Last of the Szven. 157 

Long has she lain stirlessly dying, or praying, 
Just as some pure statue for the stillness 
And whiteness, but for the eyes, each is a lamp, 
The fleshly veils, thinner and thinner burning 
Away : Anna lovely in life, Anna lovelier 
In death, — Mary knelt by holding one hand, 
Pallid and waxen, just the certain line 
Purpling the delicate nail, dear drooping fingers ! 
Mary uplifts them and Anna first smiles, 
Looking on her hand in the hand of Mary. 

Anna. 

The death-line ! I am faint with desire ! 

Abraham's Bosom is a blessed place, 

You say. Dear rest ! I have a mother there 

Who died as I was born. It was so sad ! — 

The cordial cup, Mary, it is my last, 

(Said she, looking, recollect, into the cup.) — 

I have somewhat to confide. (Dear Anna, 

She could n't die and not open her heart to Mary.) 

I believe I grow stronger, well, it is sweet, 

This strange new strength coming me to bequeath 

The tale of my wrongs and my joys, — Mary to tell ! 

Leave them with Mary (murmurs confiding), 

They have told me of my father, Mary, 



158 Rosa Immaculata. 

I think they thought it not just I should go 
Into Limbus and not my father know, — 
My father who died before I was born. 
You know of the wasting wars of Herod, 
You know of the Asmonian line of princes 
Who dwelt in the tower* Herod sealed up 
With rock so no man can go up or down, 
Mariamni, princess-maiden, senior by years 
Of Aristobulus, only, noble prince-brother, 
Mariamni whom for beauty they tell 
As the seven stars among women, Aristobulus, 
Lofty, pious, and generous : and the sister 
And brother loved one another as last 
And but two of a race that was kingly, 
But the people, they were sick for the wars 
That the Idumean favorite of Czesar 
Waged against the house that was princely, 
And when Herod had seen fair Mariamni 
And loved her, and Herod had moreover said, 
And Aristobulus shall then be your High Priest, 



* " The tower of Antonia might be considered the citadel of the 
temple: it was of old the palace of the Asmonian princes. Tho 
rock on which it was seated was fifty cubits high, inaccessible on 
all sides. Herod had it, from base to side, covered with marble, so 
no one could go up or come down." — Note to Orsdji's Life of the 
Blessed Virgin. 



Last of the Seven. iij<p 

And pious Aristobulus knowing he would 

So not rob his loins, — it's greater to be a priest 

Than a king — and not slow to give Mariamm 

A crown, and fair Mariamni not adverse, 

So it might give peace in Israel, the priests 

And the leaders of the people gave consent, 

And Mariamni became king Herod's wife 

And they crowned them. But Herod was jealous, 

For the people rejoiced more when she was crowned, 

Though he hid his wrath, for he loved Mariamni, 

And she bore him two sons. Then Aristobulus 

Longed for the robes of the Lord, and Herod made 

Him High Priest to please Mariamni — and once 

A priest, is a priest forever, and the line 

Of the priest parts from the sceptre of Judah 

To cleave to the altar — but the altar of a priest 

Is his throne, nearer Heaven — and Aristobulus 

Rejoiced, being made anointed, and he made 

A sacrifice magnificent unto the Lord, 

And he came out in his robes of holiness 

From the Holies and blessed all the people, 

And the people shouted, and Herod was wroth, 

For the people shouted more for Aristobulus, 

And he saw how they loved him ; and Herod 

Hated the High Priest from that day, and lay 

In wait for his blood, and made a banquet 



i.6o Rosa Immaculata. 

For him and invited none other thereto, 
And strangled him alone in the bath, saying, 
He 's drowned. And all Israel had such mourning 
And such wrath, for he deceived not the people. 
The Lord have mercy, and show him his sins 
And give him repentance ! 

Mary. 

(Her face taking a look prophetic) 
Amen. 

Anna. 

I had been told the story when but a child ; 

Well have the priests his history kept; 

But when it came to here, I used to feel 

My heart start, and th' blood run hot to my hands 

As I clasped them and begged th' Lord to remember 

The tyrant. I have been praying to-night 

For that to be pardoned. Eleazer, he saith 

'Twas the blood of our race rising up and crying 

Within me, and just ; but since I have looked 

In your face I have thought only of mercy, 

I have prayed even for Herod to-night, 

I'm sure he hath need, for he slew God's High Priest, 

I'm sure he hath need, for he slew also his wife, 

Beautiful Mariamni, and their two sons, likewise, 



Last of the Seven. 161 

And walled up the tower, and said, I have crushed 
The last of the blood — I was in the temple. 
Aristobulus had taken to wife the daughter 
Of Eleazer, the priest, and I am the little one 
Of his daughter. She was with her father in his house 
When they brought her the tidings — my father, 
You know — and she never lifted after her head, 
And she died when I was born. The eyes of Herod 
Were as vultures, but he found not the child : 
And Israel made lamentation at the grave 
Of my father — it was long — it was bitter ! 
The house of Eleazer wept for my mother — 
Eleazer only will weep for me. I give 
Him and Noemi — nurse faithful and dear — 
I put my two ties and treasures into your hand, 
Love them for me. 

[Mary answers with a kiss, 
And tears stand in the eyes so tender and heavenly. 
Courageously held back — she would sustain — 
As the sweet dews on the branch of a tree 
Overladen at that hour, peacefully drops one : 
O Mary's tears ! we may love them ! worship 
Them ! kiss them ! Anna in dying adored 
Them, almost ; kissed the one fallen down 
To her hand.] 



\6z Rosa Immaculata. 

Anna. 

I am the last of a just seed, 

Jehovah ! Lord God, only holy ! 

1 should be holier ! — Star of my dying-time, 
Only pure one in the House of her Lord, 
Pray for me ere I sleep with my fathers ! 

Mary. 

(Soothing her brow.) 
I pray. 

Anna. 

And death is but drenched in love ! 
My pure, young, priestly martyr-father ! 
I am so glad I was his child, not Herod's ; 
It is glory enough for my paradise, 
To be but his child and kneel at his feet. 
Eleazer hath hoped for this poor scion more, 
Last born of prince and priest, but never I 've felt 
It could be so — I have rather all my life 
Been wanting the joy that I knew not till told 
The tale of my birch ; but I knew it straight then, 
It was to look in my dead father's face, 
My mother had so left it here in my heart. 
That other great hope of Israel and the priests, 



Last of the Seven 163 

Be thine the joy : Be thou, Mary, so crowned ; 
I would sooner see thee have than myself th'joy . 

Mary. 

(A grave and beautiful, but very humbled look coming into her dear 

face.) 

Let me kiss the hands of His Mother. 

Anna. 

But the stain that lies 
On the soul, the stain that we cannot pray off, 
Or wash out with tears, whose trace we see 
In every human face — albeit, I've not seen 
It in thine — will that too, then, be taken ? 
But that I go with white feet as a spirit 
Leaving corrupted dust and ashes may walk 
To their fathers, pray, for I've been too slow 
In prayers, and never had aught to sacrifice 
Unto the Lord my God. 

Mary. 

Offer your life, 
And accept the agony ; it will come. 



164. Rosa Immaculata. 

Anna. 

But the offering's so small, drenched only in love- 
in love 

[But Mary saw the unmistakable look. 
It was the first time she had looked upon death 
In her race ; she saw the fruit that Eve bore 
And her tears fell fast, pure Eve ! But Mary 
Is ever recollect.] 

Mary. 

Would you not look 
In the fice of your friends ? 

Anna. 

Thou art my friend, 
And I feel no ab:ence. We are not alone. 

Mary. 

No : (she too saw the angels but the almahs 
Would grieve not to kiss the cheek of their sister. 

Anna. 

I may see them ; yet stay thou, my nearest, 
My dearest, next unto God — after God ! 

First comes Ncemi, dear nurse, with quick wail 
Ringing through the corridors, but hushed more 



Last of the Seven. 165 

And more, crossing the threshold — none weep loud 
Coming in there, the place is too heavenly ! 
The charm of the world we go to is there. 
Tears fall with Mary's but as dew, Eleazer, 
Face buried in the rug, hoary beard drenched 
As in th' tempest, poor old man, weeps, stifling 
His sobs to bless her, and the almahs each came 
And kissed the cold cheek of their sister, 
And asked for her blessing, and Anna died 
Holding the hand of Mary. — May we all die so! 
Then Eleazer plucked his white beard, his hope 
Was quenched, and Ncemi-nurse and the almahs 
Sang the death-song of the Hebrews for a virgin 
Gone before her spousals, leaving no seed ; — 
Such as died, extinguishing in their house the hope 
Of the Messiah-King. Mary knelt by the couch 
Till the spirit came forth, standing on her knees 
As a white rose in a breeze, stilled in a little circle 
Of charmed air, the winds beating their wings 
In the distance. Dead ! dead ! Mary had seen 
Death never before, but in the sacrifice, 
And never th' limb there smoked on the altar 
But the shiver had run through her frame — 
Standing now on her knees, where are her eyes, 
Straight through the lattice-way opened beyond, 
Going out to ? What cliff the moon just silvering, 



1 6 5 R : s a Immaculata. 

Ar.d eue tree :da: das n: branches :;: r^o, 
Elar.:hi.r.2: her :er.der rare : See her rieyhzgy, 
Tenderly, ah re v.h: shah fee her re: 
With the marks of His blood on her garments 
And. hair, and so pallid now ; but, God's will ! 
Grd's vrih ii:::;.e ! a glar.ee end 2. lech 
Upward of triumph, a rendering of thanks, — 
Tears mercifully gush to those late-streaming eyes, 
A radiance irradiating around Mary 

And the aimah-maids. unawares singing seed — 
Eleazer giving the las: kiss, in aeeerdance 
V>~i:h :he cus::~ rdhis rezrle — clcsizg 
The Lale-ireaueirul eye:. — a rragrazre ir. :h" r::~ 
As : e" rests zzd sardai-: : ais. Our Ann. 
Gone on before, beautiful forerunner ! 
Heaven's destined queen has one from the band 
O: virgins that surround, to shoot on before 
In :he white rziees z: ner alrrahh : : d :c :ed 
Kings and prophets the morning is near. 

Funereal. 

Srresr. — A \:\~cre-—/\ . .'.-. . l:.:r. i. -, J ..~. :'.-: :_.'::*.) 

The dawn looking into the cell holily — 

Ncerrd and the matrcz: dressing the deed — 



Last of the Seven. 167 

The corpse-bath of myrrh and roses — linen 
And spices — the bier of ithel-wood, shining 
As ebcny — the dead almah in choir-robes. 
Fair was the almah in her beautif 1 death-robes, 
Anna, matron-mother, and Mary by her bier 
Saying prayers, Ncemi, old nurse, still chanting 
Her low miserere : — weeping came the almahs 
And covered her bier with white flowers, — the harps 
Of the almahs first touched to sadness, all day 
Rang harp and kittor to notes funereal ; — 
Eleazer — it is a sad sight to see an old man weep, 
Sitting upon the earth, ashes upon his head, 
Loins in sackcloth : seven days sat the mourners 
With him, and then they arose up and buried 
Her. What was he now ? a withered old tree, 
All his young limbs dead. Last of two races ! 
And they buried her by the light of the stars 
After twilight, the almahs bearing torches 
Reversed ; and the grave was made in the gardens 
Of Solomon, a little sepulchre hewn from th' rock, 
And there was a shelf where they sat down the bier ; 
And each of the almahs laid a lock of her hair 
At the feet of their sister to show their sorrow ; 
Then Ncemi covered the face of her child 
With her almah-veil, and all her dear body 
And robes with an embroidered quilt from Egypt, 



l*>3 Rosa Immaculata. 

Carefully tucked under every corner. Dear nurse, 

It was the last she could do for her darling ! 

As she covered the body, saw the curls 

Of the almahs, caressing the feet that should 

No more with them walk, transplanted the curl 

That was amber — no one observed — the veil 

As arranging, laid it in the dear palms, 

Closed as in prayer, just over the bosom 

Cr heart, sighing, so will her spirit best love 

To see it — holding it so in her dead hands. 

And the almahs laid branches cut from th' trees 

Of frankincense over the bier, and at her feet 

Their torches reversed and quenched, and the tomb 

Was closed, and made fast, and sealed, and Zachary 

And all the priests and the almahs went back 

Unto th/ temple, but Eleazer sat down under a tree 

And wept, and when th' gates were shut came not up. 

Dirge of Eleazer. 

{Mournfully singing to himself at the midnight, alone in the gardens.) 

'The tent of my fair one 
Is blown down : one flower grew in the desert 
For me, one white rose-tree in the wilderness : 
The simoon saw by the well of Abraham, 
In the desert of sands, my white flower and smote 



Last of the Seven. 169 

It: a storm in the mountains of Judah 

Swept over my rose-tree and bowed it : a dove 

Sought refuge at Thy altars, O Lord my God ! 

And th' spoiler hath sought her there : I had one ewe-lamb 

And the Lord took her. Had His altars lack 

For a sacrifice ? But the Lord hath taken, 

Blessed be His name ! * Naked came I into the world, 

And naked will I go out of it !' ' 

All night long 

Sat Eleazer under the tree that grew over th' rock 

By the grave, but in the morning came Mary : 

It is alway morning when Mary comes to mourners, 

Or there is a break as of the morning after night : 

Sweet comfortress, she had longed to come in th* night, 

But the virgins went not forth after the closing 

Of the gates. But night flies the steps of morning 

And Mary. Beautiful Aurora ! Beautiful Mary ! 

Our Aurora, what the fresh and roseate dawn 

Is unto day fully risen. Mary the young Virgin 

That walks between the Prophets and the Gospel. 

Eleazer loves th' footsteps of Mary. Who would not? 

Looking up for pity — 

' I had a Miriam once, 

I sat by her tomb, but there was a white flower 

To grow over it : this tomb has no flower ! 

It is so sad to die and leave not a seed !' 
8 



17° Rosa Immaculata. 

Th' dark leaves of th* olives are lustrous in their dews 
Mary stood before and beneath, in her stiff robe 
Oi sackcloth, her pale golden locks shining 
Through the net into which she had gathered 
Them : But in her angelic modesty, as the maid 
Of Araby hides the roses of Yemen she carries 
In her bosom under her veil, so hides Mary 
Her thoughts for God, and kneels upon the turf 
For Eleazer to bless her. And Eleazer rose up, 
And as he blessed her a peace stole into his heart, 
And he could leave his dead child with Abraham 
And Enoch and David and God. He could leave 
His child with the Lord God of Israel now, 
And he blessed her. What a beautiful privilege, 
To be a priest — over a soul kneeling to hold 
Anointed hands and bless her, — to be a priest 
And bless Mary — Mary in her spotlessness, 
In her one rose-white, fragrant virginity ! 
And Eleazer blessed Mary Immaculate. 
Let the picture stand, 't is too beautiful to lose — 
Gardens of Solomon in their dews, the sun 
Painting the sky over the mountains of Arabia 
Beyond, fresh tomb in the rock, old man rising 
Up in the majesty of grief, reverence-touched, 
To bless the young mother of Him who shall hang 



Last of the Seven. 171 

Up over on that Calvary beyond, and sit 
Afterward on the throne with His Father down. 

Grave of the Almah. 

And when Anna and Joachim next had come, 
Mary went with them to the sepulchre down, 
And Eleazer with them, followed likewise down, 
Dear old man, he had made the rock beautiful. 
He had sought out carvers of stone, and chose 
The most cunning of the workmen that wrought 
Thereon. On one side of the rock was an altar, 
And the altar was cast down and the censer 
Was broken ; on the other side of the sepulchre 
Was a young cedar, and the tree was up-rooted, 
And in the branches of the tree was a crown 
And a mitre, and under the boughs of the tree, 
Upon the ground, lay a nest overturned — 
A dove and its young, and its young was but one ; 
And on the door of the tomb was Anna 
In Hebrew — the pure Chaldaic, in a circle 
Of divers devices — a lily-bud, severed, 
A stemless rose, a lamb on the altar, 
A dove in the snare, and a distaff half filled. 
Seven circular beds were before the door — 
Paths paved with stones of the agate between — 
These beds the companions of Anna had planted 



172 Rosa Immaculata. 

With flowers, the white rose of Jericho, lilies 

From the vales below and other varieties ; 

Next to the rock, planted, Mary, and the flowers 

That Mary planted gave odors that embalmed 

All the varieties, and Mary chose violets — 

White violets for a virgin, an almah 

Dying young. Precious in the eyes of Mary 

Are graves ! Graves of her dead whom she stood by 

In their dying. " Sleep," said Anna, " sweetest 

Of all the companions of Mary," and Ncemi, 

Who came also down, began to lament here, 

We all go unto her, continued Anna, 

Be comforted, Ncemi and Joachim observed, 

" It is a good and wholesome thought to pray 

For the dead," and Ncemi plucked a white flower 

That grew at the door of the sepulchre 

And gave unto Joachim and to Anna. 

Saint Anna, comforter of the afflicted, pray for us." 
" Gate of the heavenly Jerusalem Immaculate, pray for 

us." 
" Saint Anna, glory of Priest and Levites, pray for ::s." 
" Light of Angels, Immaculate, pray for us." 
" Saint Anna, cloud full of dew, pray for us." 
" Star of the world Immaculate, pray for us." 



4 

Other Companions. 173 




CHAPTER XXX. 

OTHER COMPANIONS. 

" l)lrgo (f lcmcit0, ova pro uobia." 

ND afcer the death of Anna, sweet friend, 
And after the parents had again journeyed back, 
The eighth time, we see her walking more times apart. 
Doth she never sigh, lonely rose, for the bower 
On the hills over the vale of Esdraslon — 
That country of shepherds, fresh, flowery, and cool ? 
It lies in her heart, it will lie there forever, 
The dear old cot and pastures patriarchal ! 
Yet loving but the more daily the dearer courts 
Of the House of her God. Where there is sacrifice 
There is love, where there is love, there is sacrifice. 
Mary comes forth, in the softly-surrounded twilight 
Caressing the flowers, studying Calvary, where the peaks 
Burn after the meridian — going down to the hearts 
Of the gardens, wandering by the limpid runs, 
Looking back to the mountain, hearing the bulbul 
And rose-bird, angels counting and marking 
Her footsteps. Where she steps every track a cradle 
For flowers, where flowers will grow sweetest hereafter, 



174 Rosa Immaculata. 



And souls find dearest prayer-places, dving-places, 
Altar-places, cell-sites, hermitages for Jesus — 
Crickets waken as she passes recollect with God, 
Glow-worms thicken, linnets, thrushes, and nightingales, 
And bulbuls flooding the air, enriching the night, 
A rim of the new moon with stars over Mary 
And the gardens, and God over and above all. 

But in this pure abode even — and holiness, 
And humility intrench her — but scandal 
Walked into the midst of this garden of sweets 
One day and sought her, strange to believe ! 
Evil is sure to creep in where there is good", 
Seeking out covertly all sanctities; and there 
Will be a Judas, and one who is tempted 
And tempts, and truth remain nevertheless, 
While the wheat and the tares grow together. 
And the virgins who dwelt now with Mary, 
Those who took the place of the departed, 
These may have been their names, Miriam, Ruth, 
Deborah, Abishag, Eve, Mical, and Leah, — 
And Mary had given them all sweet welcome 
When entered, and alway, and all had well-gone, 
But Mical was proud and Eve envied Mary, 
And pride grew in the heart of Mical, 
Who was comelv and vain of her beauty, 



Other Companions. 175 

For she hearkened unto the whisperings of Eve, 
" She thinketh to rule over us !" (now Mary- 
Thought to rule over no one : none so humble 
Walked the courts of the Lord,) saying, " the elder 
Alway think to bear sway over the younger," 
'* I shall not bow down or follow her; will 
Mical ?" "Mayhap we are not lily-tinted 
And timid, but brilliant and fair to look on," 
" Shall we only hear Mary praised by the priests 
And th' matrons ?" " Praised as the corneliest, 
Praised as the holiest ?" " What does she more than all ?" 
And Mical when she saw Mary more fair 
Than herself envied to hear continual good 
Spoken of Mary, and that old enemy 
Of Eden was pleased with Mical, and found 
Suggestions for Eve, and gave to her cunning 
To worm into the heart of Ncemi also, 
Growing to her dotage, and this was a grief 
To Mary, for Ncemi was the old nurse 
Of Anna ; but Mary loved Ncemi more, 
And Ncemi was only turned from her by fits, 
As Eve wrought upon her by feigned caresses. 
" See," said Eve to Mical, " the purple is given 
Her to spin, I believe not the tale of the angel :" 
"The angel was only one of the priests, Esther 
And Judith but made that out for Mary." 



'5 Rosa Immaculata. 

And when, moreover, Mical saw Mary's hand 
Beautified all that she spun, then was Mical 
Vexed in her heart and more envied Mary, 
And when she saw all the choicest embroideries 
Were given to her, and that she wrought flowers 
More excellent than all, then was she displeased, 
And the heart of Mical with Eve was clean gone 
From Mary, and bent on causing her sorrow. 
How could any one cause grief unto Mary ? 
Yet they could; and to this day the world is full 
Of Eves and Micals, — those who kiss the Son (Judas 
Did in the garden) and strike at the Mother. 
So they laid nets also to flatter the mistresses 
And to deceive the other virgins j but Mary 
They never flattered, and covertly treated her rude. 
And Mical seemed more swift than all obedient, 
And sought to dust all the altars, and arrange 
Adornings, and most to do all of those things 
Which Mary chiefly had done, and she so won 
On the mistresses, the decorations, the vases 
And flowers, and the compounding of incense 
That Mary had liked to make, was given 
To her. Now Mary mingled incense jealous 
To smell th' sweet fragrancies, jealous to reserve 
All for God ; but when Mical made incense 
She would have smelled up all the odors, 



Other Companions. 177 

So little devotion had Mical. She eats 

Not ! " Maidens live not on air !" " Does she thrive 

On a cup of goat's milk?" "She takes no meats — 

A cup and a seed-cake !" " Not enough to keep 

Flying a sparrow !" " She eats not or she thieves !" 

Said Eve, said Mical, and the virgins were beguiled; 

So would the first almahs not been ; not so 

Sarah, Rebekah, Abigail, Rachel, Esther, 

Or Judith, or Anna, the dear dead ! More hours 

Than ever spent Mary by that sepulchre 

Now in the gardens. Oh ! the dead are always 

So true ! All change but the dead : But most hours 

Gave Mary to mortifications and prayer, 

That intense mortification of soul bowed 

Down to the dust at the Feet of the Lord, 

Who loveth his white Lily kissing his Feet 

In her tears : so was she prepared to be the Mother 

Of the Sufferer, and of all who shall suffer 

With Him ; and she neglected none of her tasks. 

Mary had meantime one comfort untaken, 

Anna, the matron, fallen sick before this came, 

Mary was selected to nurse many hours; 

And yet spoke not of all this to Anna. 

Mary never accuses, Mary may suffer, 

But Mary, Mother of Mercy and of Peace, 

Never accuses. None the less serene, none 
8* 



178 Rosa Immaculata. 

The less pure, none the less sweet, though so sad, 

Walked Mary the terrace, and the virgins 

All shunned her and believed the whisperings 

Of Eve, and she watered her couch with her tears; 

But the tears of Mary always fell peacefully, 

Fruitfully, dear weeper ! only she prayed more, 

She who had always prayed alway, only she kept 

Fasts more, — and the fasts of the Jews were from sun 

To sun, — and she wept not alone, nor most 

For the evil done unto her. The eyes 

Of this mournful young daughter of the prophets 

Were unsealed as she prayed in the night-watches 

Upon her bed fasting. 



"Angel melodies were near her, 

Oft entrancing all her frame, 
Yet there was a sorrow dearer, 

For from love that sorrow came. 
She the destined Bride of Heaven, 

Through the Spirit viewed the world ; 
Saw the souls from virtue riven, 

Saw the flag of sin unfurled. 
And a mighty sorrow bowed her, 

Mastering all her mighty soul ; 
Sorrow with which love endowed her, — 

Love (ff God beyond control. 
Sorrow for His outraged glory, 

Sorrow for her brother's sin, 
Sorrow for man's guilty story, 

Since that story did begin. 
Angel harpings were unheeded 

When that sorrow filled her sense : 
Tears and prayers for pardon pleaded 

With the dread Omnipotence ! 



Other Companions. 179 

Prayers "with hope ! the promise given 

Brightly shone with glorious ray I 
O come Messias, come from Heaven, 

Chase these clouds of sin away 1" 

Ave Maria — Magazine. 

Pure advocate, she saw and wept for all sinners, 
And God gathered up all of her tears and gave 
Her back graces for all, otherwise, God 
Could not have suffered His young mother weep. 
And Mary prayed for those who wrought her evil ; 
But the hearts of the almahs were stolen, 
" The hearts of my companions are stolen 
From me." The Lord did so permit to try 
His perfect One. And the hearts of the almahs 
Were beguiled for a season, from the time 
That Zachary went up to his house in Hebron 
To the days that he came to the temple again, 
And it was told unto Zachary, " She doth 
Not eat," and Zachary saw that the faces 
Of the virgins were turned against Mary, 
And Zachary straightway investigated, 
And then Zachary took the part of Mary, 
And made all of her innocence known, 
And the father of Eve sent up the silver,* 
And she was redeemed from the vow and sent 

* An almah could be redeemed at any time from the cloisters of 
Israel, it appears, by the payment of a certain sum. 



180 Rosa Lmmaculata. 

Out from the temple, and all the priests incensed 
At th' scandal would likewise have done by Mical, 
But when Mical knew all this and that Mary- 
Rejoiced not at her shame she went and fell 
At the feet of Mary in her tears, and Mary 
Would not so suffer Mical, but lifted her up, 
Saying, Weep not, my sister, if thou hast done 
111, it has been done more unto the Lord, 
Being in His House, than unto his handmaiden, 
And kissed her; — thus Mary conquers foes — 
And went unto Zachary and besought for Mical, 
Her companion, and the priests heard the prayers 
Of Mary : and Mical loved Mary from that day 
More than all the virgins, and all the virgins 
And matrons loved Mary more than before this came. 
Now all the precious compoundings had been taken, 
All the mingling of incense from Mical, 
And the filling of vases and the adornings ; 
But Mary chose Mical to help her in all 
Of these things, and so that it pleased Mary, 
It was pleasing to Zachary and the priests, — 
Priests always like to please Man 7 , — I speak 
Of God's priests, — and Mary weighed the spices 
And Mical assisted Mary compounding 
Precious incense for the censers devoutly, 
" Filling the lamps with pure oil of olives perfumed," 



Supper of our. Mother. 181 

Making vtp bouquets for the altar piously, 

And there was no more scandal but there was more love. 

And after this the new almahs vied to walk 

With Mary on the terrace and in the yards. 

To walk with Mary ! How in all after life, 

Lovely girls, will they think of her words and her ways. 

To be brought up with Mary, it is the only thing 

That I would be a child for — to grow up with Mary. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

SUPPER OF OUR MOTHER. 

OR A DEAR OLDEN TRADITION. 

" iJaa djcmovabtlc, era pro nobta." 

WE have seen it was said to Zachary, 
" Mary eats all day no food ;" " all day stand 
The figs untasted," "and the loaf of the barley," 
" And the kernels of corn, sweet, roasted, and tender," 
■" And the cup of goat's milk is unlipped :" 
And Zachary commanded, Disturb not the maid, 
But he watched ; and lo when it was eventide 
And in the twilight, there came an angel 
To the cell of Mary : — Zachary was hid 



1 82 Rosa Immaculata. 

And concealed by the tapestry to watch : 

And the angel came in to Mary as she sat 

In the cell, bowing down as he approached, 

And on his knees the angel offered a cup 

Unto Mary, wherein he brought somewhat to drink. 

Zachary saw not what she drank, but the cup 

Was as a sapphire, and he had never seen 

Such pearls as were about the rim ; and the cup 

Was more beautiful than the cup of Livia,* 

And there was nothing like it in the temple, 

And none of the vases of the princes of Asia 

Compared with its beauty. Marv took the cup 

And looking up first to Heaven gave thanks, 

And the angel looked down and smiled 

As Mary gave her thanks, and then she drank, 

And as she drank her face grew beautiful, 

And Zachary marvelled and exulted but stirred not : 

And then Zachary saw that the angel held 

In his hand a plate, and the plate was of gold, 

And the paten had bread thereon or manna 



* About the time of the Presentation of Mary, the empress 
Livia, and nearly all the princes of Asia, sent magnificent presents 
to the temple, vases of gold, &c. — See Josephius, who gives an 
elaborate description of the massive table of gold presented by 
Ptolemy Philadelphus, which was " incrusted with precious 
stones." 



Last Visits. 183 

Similar unto the manna that was stored 

In the golden pots of Aaron, white and of size 

Like unto coriander, seed, but larger, 

And each bread or manna had a mark thereon, 

That none but she that ate knew, and she took 

But one bread and she ate without breaking, 

And her face grew brighter after she had eaten. 

And the angel received back here the paten, 

And he drew a mantle of bright colors 

He wore on his breast over, and bowing 

Down once again unto the Virgin, spake not 

As he went out : and Mary remaining knelt, 

Prayed till it was dark, and when it was dark 

Zachary went out and the Virgin perceived not. 

And many nights, watched Zachary the angel come, 

But told no one at this time, and commanded 

The Virgin should be no more pressed to eat. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

LAST VISITS. 

"SAINT ANNA, 8UT.E ROAD FOB TRAVELLERS, PRAY FOR US." 

NNA and Joachim coming down the dear hill, 
The ninth and the tenth time, going up to Mary. 



; "_ Rosa Immaculata. 

At first there was a mule but for Anna, 

And Joachim walked guiding the mule, — 

And Joachim throve in those days, and drove 

Up many sheep and goats for the sacrifice ; — 

But at length the mule of Joachim stood 

By the mule of Anna at the doorway to start 

While th' stars were still thick in the sky, th' beast, 

Too, was a staid one and used to the rider, 

For Joachim was growing very old now, 

And to ride was the last choice, and that getting 

The cool of the day : so getting to Mary earlier, 

Likewise. Dear parents, it always makes us glad 

To see you journeying toward Mary, Ave, 

Almost angelic motherhood! Ave, almost 

Angelic fatherhood ! O, those reunions 

In the dear House of the Lord ! and our parents 

Renewed their vow every year, kneeling down 

Each time come, and saying it unto the Lord 

Singularly tender, dear saints ! This time (the tenth) 

More than erst, Joachim prays, the luminous tears 

Falling more large and fast, and he totters now 

As he goes down the steps, dear Sire ! Mary gees 

Out with her father and mother unto the gates — 

O that parting ! Joachim parting with Mary ! 

The father alway had yielded unto the mother 

The last embrace till this morning, now he puts 



Last Visits. 185 

His arms around her the second time even 

After he has given his blessing. 'Tis frequent 

And sweet to see a mother weep, but a father ! 

Look my eyes and let thy tears drop, and look long ! 

Perhaps it is the last time you may see 

Them together, that dear Nazareth family; — 

That dearest and purest type of families, 

Sire, daughter, spouse, — Joachim, Mary, Anna ! 

A last time must come ! — and they departed. 

Mical came to meet Mary as she came back 

In her tears to the temple — Good Mical ! 

(Anna and Joachm returning.) 

Forgetting their age, so pressing on they came, 
Not so going back : returning is not coming. 
From, alack ! is not going to Mary. 
Turning from God's blessed House and Mary, 
To pious souls is always sad, what must 
This then have been to Anna, to Joachim ? 
But God will go with you alway everywhere, 
The Lord and his angel, good saints, fear ye not. 
And the evil that Eve wrought was not told — 
It might grieve them and the scandal was repaired, 
And it pleased them to see Mical love Mary ; 
But Zachary made privately known to Joachim, 
How that an angel brought food unto Mary, 



i86 Rosa Immaculata. 

And he is journeying home pondering thereon. 
Admirable parents ! admirable daughter ! and Mary- 
Continued in the temple many more days, growing 
To God's purpose. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

DRAWING TOWARD ABRAHAM'S BOSOM. 
" SAIXT AETNA, SUPPORT OF THE TOAK, PEAT FOE US." 

Scexe. — Anna and Joachim sitting together side by side in the porch 
of the little Cottage at Xazareth a few days after their return from 
Jerusalem. — Dear old couple, type of what marriage should be on 
earth, at its close. 

Joachim. 

ANNA, why sit the sparrows silent all day 
Under the eaves ? Has there a summer come 
When there are no birds ? It seems I have heard 
The doves coo, never so little. Have we doves 
That never murmur to their mates now, good spouse ? 

Anna. 

Can a dove forget her dear mate ? You are 

Getting deafj father, we are growing old now, 

Growing old together ! 

[Anna sighed here, 



Drawing toward Abraham's Bosom. 187 

For the step of Joachim grew heavier 
On the threshold fast, and she had a fear 
Of being left; — "Growing old together!"] 

Joachim. 

True, that is it. I am growing deaf — grown 
A-sudden deaf ! Yet thank God ! I can hear 
You, Anna, the rest matters less, I am like 
An old tent the winds have nigh beaten down ! 
Nay, brush that tear from the eye, tender spouse, 
" If I die, I shall live." 

(A long silence succeeds.) 
Joachim. 

I was troubled 
When I thought I would never hear the voice 
Of the fowl or the bird, or the call of the sheep, 
Or the kine from the pastures. But I am near 
The world where we want neither flocks or herds, 
Where we may hear th' birds sing forever, Anna, 
Or hearing the angels may not think of th' birds, 
Or waiting for God may not hear the angels 
Even. How little we know of that land 
We go to. The Rabbins say it is pleasant, 
That the dates of paradise refresh the palate, 
That it's the Eden from which Adam was driven, 



1 88 Rosa Immaculata. 

Vy e know not from the prophets ; yet when God 

Has been a Father to us here, I think 

That to walk out undoubting and trusting, 

Hearing His call, it will please him to see 

Us coming doubting not the Lord our Father. 

I shall go soon. I keep my staff ready. 

Nay, weep not, good spouse, you will soon follow. 



And Anna wept not, and tried to prepare 

Her heart, doing all things to make Joachim 

And his last days happy, dearest Anna, 

It was so kind in her ! Who would expect 

To find any thing in Anna but kind, 

And ready, and able ? So was she worthy 

To be the mother of Mary. But Joachim 

Failed faster than Anna had thought. Not so soon ! 

Oh, never where love waits can it think so soon ! 

So precious to prolong those dear last days. 

But the next day, Anna, watchful for love, 

For her own heart's sake and for Joachim, 

Saw much change, and ere it was noon had sent 

For the elders of the tribe — those the nearest 

Of kin — ten, as the manner of the Hebrews, 

And a scribe, and in the presence of all 



Drawing toward Aeraham's Bosom. 189 

Joachim made his confession* for dying. 

All the deeds of his life named he, all the thoughts 

Of his heart confessed he, and the scribe wrote 

Them down and gave the roll unto Anna. 

What a fair record ! His life had been pure 

As that of a child, dear old man ! And Anna 

Many a time after wept over it in peace. 

Oh, the legacy a good life is to leave ! 

Pious old patriarch, purest and best 

Of his fathers ! then he left his substance, 

A third for Anna, a third for the child 

In the Temple, and a third for sacrifices ; 

And when he had mentioned all of these things, 

And blessed Anna and all of his kinsmen, 

He talked with Mary. " He wanders !" they said, 

Standing by as he talked only with Mary — ■ 

Over the cradle of that dear, holy babe — 

To Mary a little child — was showing 

Her flowers — begging her to speak and to sing : 

Now they were going up to the temple, — 

Few words he said, but Anna kept the thread, 



* " The Hebrew confession is from all antiquity; the Jews made 
it before death, not only aloud, but before ten persons and a Rabbin, 
and they had also prayers for the agonizing. Aaron ben Barachia, 
in his boolv treating of the art of dying well, records the method 
of confessing and the prayers." See Basanage b. vii. ch. 24. 



190 Rosa Immaculata. 

How could she lose it ? it wound round her heart 

Too, as his. He said then again the vow 

They said when they presented her, — blessed 

Her as at parting. — There he paused and prayed — 

And as he prays — silent — rapt — suddenly 

His face grows shining, looking up heavenward, 

Crying cut with a great rapture, ct She sitteth 

At His right hand and His angels bow down 

To her !"* — and Anna understood that he spake 

This of Mary, but those standing by understood 

This not, — and his face glowing more and more, 

So his soul passed. Blessed Saint Joachim ! pray 

For us now and at the hour of our death ! 

'* I AM MADE A WIDOW." 

Anna was a widow, desolate name ! 
And her kinsmen stayed with her many days 
And bewailed with her for her spouse, and made 
Great mourning, and Anna made a funeral 
For Joachim, and sent up soon as he died 
Talents of silver, a certain amount, to the temple 

* " Pious authors have thought that at the moment that Joachim 
extended his hands to give his farewell benediction. . . .the glories 
for which Heaven destined his child, were suddenly revealed to 
him from on high; then the joy of the elect was diffused over his 
venerable countenance: he let fall his hands, inclined his head, 
and died." — Orsini. 



Drawing Toward Abraham's Bcsdm. 1 91 

For prayers,* and a messenger with sackcloth 

To Mary — dear child, knowing not her father is dead ! 

And the messenger came in unto Mary 

In the temple, the third day, with his garments rent 

And having ashes upon his head, and he fell 

Down before her on the ground beating his breast, 

And told her of the death of Joachim, her father, 

And Mary when she had heard it arose 

And put on the garment of sackcloth and went 

In before the altar of the Lord her God 

To pray,f and as Mary prayed she gave thanks 

For the birth of her father and his just life, 

She gave thanks for his pious death and prayed 

For his soul: and Mary prayed for Anna and wept 

As she prayed for her, left now in her old age 

And sorrow on the Hill alone. And God heard 

Mar/ pray and consoled His young handmaiden, 

And Mary fasted and wept and sat down in ashes 

And sackcloth according to the days of her people. 

And Anna lived three years yet before Mary 

Returned, dear, true widow of Nazareth ! 



* When, the seven days were ended, Anna had lamps lit in the 
synagogue and prayers offered up for her husband. — Orsixi. 

f An ancient and generally received tradition. 



192 Rosa Immaculata. 

"Saistt Asxa, Motiiee of Widows, peat fob us." 

They had come down since the morning of marriage 

As two trees leaning upon each other : 

It was night, one tree was alone and bent, 

And the storm beat on it. Woe ! Woe ! for all ties 

Of earth when the longest, the truest, break thus ! 

Oh, evanescent world ! thou hast death-hands ! 

Thy hands stretched to bless are death-hands ! thy hands 

Holding bribes — death-hands ! Thou wilt take all back ! 

God will not take himself back, God cheats not 

His lovers so ! God stays ! Give us God ! — God ! 

Anna sorrowed sore for her spouse : never 
Came she more to the temple up, — her heart 
Too, so hungry for the face of her child, 
But how could she go up unto the child, 
Or journey without Joachim, or leave 
That dear grave so long in the gardens? 
Mary shall come when the days of the vow 
Are ended and the priests of the temple 
Hath given her spouse ; but she is a widow, 
And they shall select as Joachim hath named, 
She will send up her offerings to the akar 
And stay by the grave of her spouse, sad Anna*! 
Not that she loved Mary less, dear Mother ! 
But she is a widow, aged and stricken. 



Drawng Toward Abraham's Bosom. 193 

Loved she Joachim — loved she Mary most ? 

Both in their place. One, all the chaste love 

Since Eve wept more that she had ruined Adam : 

Joachim was a Jacob serving life-long 

For Rachel — it seemed but a day — a man 

Good as Abraham, Moses, or Enoch, — 

And by the de.ir election of God greater,— 

A man worthy to be the spouse of Anna 

And the father of Mary, and Anna 

Knew all his goodness : and her love for Mary, 

All the love of a mother for the child 

Of her old age and her vows, that dear pride 

Of a mother for the sweetest created face, 

That one " rose among the daughters " in her house, 

That fairest flower yet born of woman : 

The attachment of her spouse — a sun that dried 

Th' tears of her youth and made beautiful th' paths 

Of her spousehood, mellowed as peaches ripen 

The borders of her matronhood, and had gene shining, 

Never in cloud, almost down to her grave 

Till that day the sun shut it out forever ! 

Sorrowful Anna ! the love of Joachim 

As the love of Duke Louis and Saint Elisabeth, 

All that is holy, all that is precious 

In conjugal affection, all that man can 

Be unto woman all that woman can 

9 



194 Rosa Immaculata. 

Be unto man, such had been Joachim 

To Anna, such had Anna been unto Joachim : 

Her child, and that dear religious love, that all 

That was human and more that was superhuman : 

In brief, one love seemed more life-long in-wound 

One life in two, the staff of her comfort, 

The even stay of all her serene, holy days, 

Her pillar against which she leaned and found rest, — 

It was broken and she had nowhere to lean ! 

She was standing in a desert and nowhere 

To lean ! One was her pillar, her staff, and one, 

The rose in her bosom perfuming her heart. 

But her rose is lent to the Lord, and she has. nowhere 

To lean, lonely Anna-widow ! 

Mary, 

The days of mourning being accomplished, 
A year and a month, as the rule of her people, 
Arose and put off her sackcloth and put 
On her blue raiment and white cincture* again ; 
But never ceased to make prayers for her father, 

* " The women of Nazareth wear a tunic of celestial blue con- 
fined by a white cincture, with shoes corresponding to the robe. 
The soft folds of a white tunic fall gracefully over the blue." — M. 

DE LaMARTINE. 



Last Years. io,£ 

Or to fast the day of the week that he died,* 
Her beloved and tender patriarchal father ! 




CHAPTER XXXIV. 

LAST YEARS. 

" Speculum lustitice, ova pro nobis." 

ND the life of Mary developed, beautiful life ! 
She grew in the sun, she grew in the shade, 
And Mary grew fast — symmetrical — white — 
And Mary grew perfect, " one is my perfect one," — 
And the Father leaned over His Throne 
To the Gardens of Moriah complacent, 
And that Babe dilected on His dear " bed 
Of spices" shining down into her bosom, 
Illuminating that transparent being, — 
O, the transparencies of Mary ! dear depths 
Where He will one day lie hidden ! burning down 
Until create purity attracts the Uncreate, 



* Various dates have been assigned for the death of Joachim. 
We follow that of Pere Croiset, who says the Virgin had been shut 
up in the temple nine years ; thus had entered her tenth year. 



ig5 Rosa Immaculata. 

And Uncreate Purity wants Mary. Flesh 

And blood and human soul, so lit with God, 

So reflect God, time — God — eternal time 

Precipitates, God makes haste to come — God 

Wants consummation ! God wants His Mother ! 

Bold words but true, bold words, and we bow low 

As the dust as we say them, and Mary 

Bows lower than we every time one says 

Them for her — higher souls bow the lowest, 

The lowest before God, — and impatient — ■ 

That dear Dove-spouse hovers 'twixt Heaven and Mary, 

And the God three-fold and one-fold watch 

Over that temple where she prays and toils 

And sleeps, over that garden where she walks 

In her freshness and piety and vocation — 

Wondrous one-vocation, to be God's Mother ! 

And she moves on serenely-still, her fragrant 

And illuminated way, God's Virgin ! Dear Virgin ! 

And that is her charm — her oneness with God — 

Mirror of Jesus ! God's Virgin ! She is God's Virgin. 



O, unreserved devotedness ! 

And we may say divine, 
Her life without, her life within, 

In all does Jesus shine. 



Last Years. 197 

The movements of her sacred body, 
Her words, her smiles, her sighs, 

Her steps, her chaste repast, her sleep, — 
As the smooth shuttle flies — 

From God to God all swift return, 

And every thing expands, 
In her develops, terminates 

In God, and perfect in His hands. 

This is her grand virginity, 

O dove among the doves ! 
In all she does, in all she says, 

Mary in all she loves, 

Inviolable, perfect, pure, 

She is in every way 
A Virgin sealed for God who smiles 

And passes on her way. 

And all who saw her admired her more and more. 
" Diadem of Virgins Immaculate, pray for us /" 



198 Rosa Immaculata. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY AT NAZARETH. 
"6AINT A2TXA, SUCCOB OF ALL THOSE "WHO CALL UPOX THEE, PEAT FOE TS." 

And Mart had been in the temple this was the eleventh year. 
Anna. 

THEY will weave her wedding-garment very fair, 
And her spousals shall be in the House of Prayer; 
All the almahs are betrothed there j so was I, so was dear 

Elisabeth. 
I will send the silver, they must bind the marriage for the 

maid of Nazareth, 
Bind and bless the nuptials, for I am a widow in my 

cincture, 
And I cannot rob my Joachim yet to put on wedding-vesture, 
Only one year more ! May my Lord forgive if I am glad. 
Living here alone in Nazareth, 'tis so very sad ! 

Just a twelve-month from to-day 

Will fulfil my vow ; 
She may take the homeward way, 

I am longing for it now. 



Undzr the Wings of the Angels. 199 

I will bake cakes for the poor, 

I will sweep the little room, 
I will spin, I will embroider, 

I will drive the busy loom. 

Driving so the sorrow some 

From my lonesome house, 
From my lonesome heart, crying 

Ever for its spouse. 




CHAPTER XXXVI. 

UNDER THE WINGS OF THE ANGELS. 

"Jttbcrfa area, ova pro nobis." 

ND it came to pass in these days, Mary 
Had desire to go in unto the Holies, — 
To get some how closer up to God's Feet. 
She was knelt, Virgin of predilection ! 

Before the great curtain she had completed; 
It came and it stayed, the desire. " Might 
She not venture ?" The foot of the vestal 
Comes far as the Levite ; but even the Levite 
Tracks not this threshold — room of Jehovah ! 
None but the High Priest yearly, and after what 



200 Rosa Immaculata. 

Of purincations, sacrifices, blood, all the people 
Bowed down and trembling till he came out alive. 
" May she not enter, she, in the eves of the Lord 
Of the House, purer and higher than High Priest 
Or angel?" Not of her will, not of the Priests 
Who guard the threshold, awful and veiled ? 
Priest nor Mary may break not or bend line 
From the Law, even the Son will come to fulfil. 
She will take what is given. O, how raptly ! 
Worshipfully ! sweet model! silent, not asking,-- 
Her heart crying still so for God, dear Adorer! 
Bowed down in her meekness face to the floor ; 
But thought not to go in — only had desired, 
And the desire stayed ; as she slept that night 
In her dream she still knelt by the Holies 
And her heart burned to pray beneath the wings 
Of the angels. Let her ask, said a voice 
In her dream. Nay, nay, she is too humble, 
The humility of his handmaid is too humble, 
And she slept ; but at the midnight the angel 
Stood by her couch and said, The Lord has seen 
The desire of thy heart and it is good. 
In the morning thou shalt show thy desire 
Unto Zachary, for lo, on the third night 
Thou shalt go in unto the Lord and adore. 
Now the sanctuary was given in charge 



Under the Wings of the Angels. 201 

To Zachary. Mary slept after the angel 

Had departed, and when the morning had come, 

Made the vision and words of the angel 

Known to Zachary. Zachary, nothing doubting 

It was the angel whom he had seen bringing 

Her food and whose presence was seraphic, 

Was troubled, and said, Hark that which the Lord 

Saith to thee this night also, and Zachary 

Prayed all that night in his chamber, and Mary 

Came in the morning to meet him in the court 

And told unto him the same word of the Lord : 

Then Zachary said, I will pray at the altar ; 

And Zachary having come back to Mary 

Bade her go in unto the High Priest and tell 

Him the vision ; and Mary drew close her veil 

And went timidly in. Now the High Priest 

Was old, very old ; when he made sacrifice 

He was brought in upon his chair ; and Mary 

Was confused, and the High Priest said, Draw near, 

My daughter, and fear not, I know Anna 

Thy mother, and Joachim thy just father ; 

And Mary knelt at the feet of the High Priest 

And he blessed her and said, Speak, my daughter, 

To me and tell me, and keep nothing back ; 

And Mary kept nothing back, and when he asked 

Concerning the angel who had brought her food, — - 
9* 



202 Rosa Immaculata. 

For Zachary had shown it to him, — Mary- 
Acknowledged, and her head bowed to the floor, 
Dear, humble Virgin ! and the High Priest, assured 
That she was raised up for some great purpose, 
And believing the thing was from the Lord, 
Said, Speak not of it, but obey the word 
Of the Lord. If His angel come this night, 
Say thou to the angel, Thy handmaid waiteth, 
But go not thou in before the angel, 
Or by thyself, lest thou die ; but fear thou not, 
If the angel leadeth : moreover, lay not off 
Thy vesture as thou liest down save thy veil 
And sandals. The Lord thy God bless thee, my daughter, 
And keep thee ! Watch not thou, but if the angel 
Waken thee, arise thou, and say as did Samuel, 
Speak, Lord, for thy handmaiden heareth ; then do 
That which the Lord, He permitteth, quickly, 
For the Lord only is great and Lord of His House. 
And Mary kissed the fringe of the garment 
Of the High Priest, and went out from his presence 
In her calm, for a great peace had fallen 
To her; and she prayed again at the sunset 
That same day at the door of the sanctuary 
Till the shutting of the gates. The High Priest 
Had said to Zachary, Keep thyself alone 
The door of the sanctuary this night moreover; 



Under the Wings of the Angels. 203 

And when Zachary drew toward the door, Mary 

Passed him going up to her cell, but her face 

Was hid in her veil and she saw not Zachary. 

The Lord loveth the humble, said the Priest 

As he watched her go up through the corridor. 

But at midnight while Mary slept, — she had 

Lain down and slept as directed, — the angel 

Stood by and awakened her. Only once spake 

The angel, and she arose and bowed down 

At his feet, and said as the High Priest had bade. 

And the angel was holding the veil of Mary, 

And Mary saw the veil shone but marvelled not 

A veil should shine in the hands of an angel. 

Put not on thy sandals, said the angel, 

And taking her by the hand the angel 

Led forth Mary, and the tapestry lifted 

And withdrew as they passed out and she saw 

No hand withdraw it, and the doors opened, 

As for Peter and his angel hereafter 

Walking out of prison ; and Zachary lifted 

Up his eyes about the midnight and saw 

An angel leading Mary in, and withdrew 

From the door where he had knelt since the closing 

Of the gates, and bowed himself down on his face, 

And the curtain that was ponderous, weighed down 

With jewels, unveiled and their shadows fell 



204 Rosa Immaculata. 

On the floor that was sacred and impenetrable. 
Behold the shadow of Mary on the floor 
That was hidden and polished and overlaid 
With mysteries in gold, as of the moon in a lake ! 
Zachary lifted his head, gazed in and saw 
And fell upon his face the second time, 
And how long they remained knew not, for time 
Seemed unto him as though it had not been, 
When having come unto himself he arose, 
And approaching nigh unto the door stood 
Gazing. Thus an old tapestry represents :* 
A mercy-seat, the wings of the cherubim, 
Overspreading, Mary kneeling under the wings 
Of the cherubim, praying before the Ark, 
Cherub-heads above her in air, and some one 
Peering in at the door. That some one we call 
Zachary, and put Gabriel into the tableau, 
Prostrate to the floor beside the Virgin worshipping 
Under the wings of the angels, or cherubim. 
O Mary ! What is thy prayer, thy sweet words 
Unto God ? Not even Gabriel knoweth ; 



* Wrought in the Middle Ages and still preserved. There are 
three principal tableaux on tapestry: one representing the Virgin 
spinning in the temple, one embroidering as sketched (see chapter 
Immaculate Embroiderer), and one picturing on canvas the Virgin 
within the Holy of Holies. 



Under the Wings of the Angels. 205 

But its silent breath was the adorative rose 

Of all worship yet offered God, and God 

Smelled it and was glad. Thou hast made God glad, 

Mary, and the heart of Mary shook a-brim 

With graces and trembled serene for sweetness, 

Fervor and the unwordable consolings 

Of God. But we may as well stay the brush ; 

Who can improvise how Mary loved God ? 

Or of the beauties, or treasures, or resources 

Of grace in her soul out-pouring for God; 

Who can talk of the adorations of Mary ? 

Of the perfumes of the Mystical Rose exhaling 

At His Feet ? Of the perfumes of the Mystical Rose 

Exhaling at the Feet of God ? Is n't it beautiful ! 

And precious ! and heavenly ! Mary within the Holy 

Of Holies ? Longing to go in — permitted to go in — 

Led in — in. Let us review this picture 

Of piety — beauty — heavenliness ! It don't seem 

We can leave it ! Dear Mary ! Dear Holies ! Dear God ! 

As the sky was thick with stars, near the midnight, 

At the feet of Mary stood an angel, 
Watching as in dream her sleep, in the starlight 

Stood so still the angel. 

/ nd his wing, somewhat whiter than the moon, 
And his crown lit the sacred room, 



2o5 Rosa Immaculata. 

Somewhat softer, somewhat heavenlier than noon, 
In a sweet celestial glow or bloom. 

Only to his soul — all was touched, all was silence — 

'* Mary sleeps," said Gabriel ; 
Ere he woke her, all the airs, unseen angels incense, 

Perfume fills the goldened cell. 

And the angel spoke not, for he loved to stand and gaze 

On that sleep immaculate, 
Loved to stand and veil and bask his burnings in the rays 

Shed in sleep, loved on her to wait. 

Maria, Ave, Maid of Grace ! and she rose 

At the Ave of the angel, 
She was clothed, ready in her sleep-repose 

All but veil and sandal. 

And the angel held her veil, — shoes, he said, 

As the ground is holy, put not on ; 
And he placed the veil on her bowed head 

And dropped his heavenly knees upon. 

And he took her by the hand with an angel's grace 

For his recognized Queen, o'er the floor 
Of the mystic room he led her, down the silent staircase, 

Through the incensed corridor. 



Under the Wings of the Angel\ 207 

And his robing, Mary saw, nothing wondering, 

As a nebulas of stars, and so thick, spot 
There was none, eyes to set, sweet was pondering, 

Where the stars were not. 

And the Priest knelt near to pray — godly Zachary — 

Saw them coming and was dumb, 
Kneeling — they had entered through the doorway — 

Watched them to the Holies come. 

Seven times in nearing bowed they, 

Or prostrated, Mary and the angel, 
Seven times before approaching, stopped to pray 

Ere they reached the Holies — breath of sandal, 

Heavenly sandal, filling all the sacred air, — 

Never perfumes smelled before — 
A celestial fragrance guiding to the Place of Prayer, 

Through that chancel to adore, 

i nd the veil unveiled as they bowed and prayed before, 

Touched by hand unseen uprose, 
Or as Mary and the angel knelt down to adore, 

The Holies opened for its Rose. 

What their prayers were heard the priest not, 
For their lips gave forth no sound, 



2oS R03A IMMACULATA. 

But his eyes the vision to his dying they forgot not, 
Of the kneelers on the Covenant-ground. 

And an aureola round them — widened round them, 

Burning to a pearl and ruby light, 
And the Virgin's brows beams as suns endiadem, 

And the Holies it is full of light. 

Kneeling now is Mary where the cherubim 

Inveils, and beneath its wings, 
What she's saying now to God, never said the seraphim, 

Never half so tender things. 

Now she kisses Ark and table, and by love 

Opens almost — almost opens Heaven ! 
Almost to her bosom — almost draws the dear Divine-Dove ! 

And the Son is almost — almost from that Upper-Bosom 
riven ! 

But our pencil all too cold in glow or gold 

When the worship is to be of the Virgin sung or told, 

We can only soft unveil the Holies and bow down and gaze 

With that silent stricken priest, lost and burning in her rays. 

" Let the Heavens drop down, Messiah !" 



Immaculate Espousals. 209 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

IMMACULATE ESPOUSALS. 

" l)as Bptritualc, ova pro nobis." 

PART I. 

k N the morrow Mary is to be betrothed 

And go forth from the temple, so the virgins 
Say, her companions, knotting together, seven, 
Five or three, to talk of the wonder — Mary 
Refuseth, or hath so asked from the priests : 
What, sacrifice her hope, that inheritance 
And glory for one of Sion's dear daughters ? 
There was a possible too precious to be lost, 
And sterility were in Israel a shame. What marvel ! 
'Tis strange, said the almahs, and she so pious ! 
It is strange ! but the priests will not allow ; 
Never such a thing in the temple was known, 
And we shall not lose the bridal. It will be here, 
For her mother 's a widow. Yet I regret 
And I wish, said Ruth, she was alway to stay! 
How we shall miss her ! said Deborah ; 



no Rosa Immaculata. 

That is true, said Abishag, how can we live 

Without Man" ! I wish she were to stay 

Till I go, said Mical ; and till I, said all the almahs. 



PART I!. 



MARY AT THE WELL. 

" bos insigne Etootumis, era pro nobis." 

Or "Humility, which first grew to perfection violet-like in the retired and 
6hady hills of Judea." — Oeslnt. 

Who is she in raiment blue 
Coming through the twilight dew, — 

Urn and pitcher clasped around, 
Coming to the fountain-ground, — 
Whom the soft airs soften round ? 

Not the cool wave in the well, 
Fresh as this Virgin from her cell : 

And the thrashes in the tree 
Wait her pitcher filled to see, 
Pausing in their melody, 



Mary at the Well. 211 

And the cool o'ershadowing date 
Shadows well and Maid Immaculate * 

Not a beetle, bird, or bee, 
Beats the air, grass, or tree, 

And the picture stands we see. 

Wherefore but this Maid is sad, 
She whose look was always glad. 

See not the sorrow of her eyes 
The tenderly o'erbending skies, 
Nature wont to sympathize ? 

Mary come down from her cell, 
Troubled by the fountain-well, 

Rests her pitcher on the brink 

Of the well and stops to think ; 

At her well of fervors stops to drink : 

I would only live for Thee, 
But, my Lord, I am not free ! 

Must I go from Thy dear feet ? 
Must I render what 's most sweet ? 

Must I vow and not complete ? 

• 

Lord, Fve vowed my love to Thee, 
But, my Lord, I was not free ! 



212 Rosa Immaculata. 

Was my vow not dropped from Heaven ? 
Wherefore, then, should it be riven ? 
\A herefore my one white flower given ? 

I would, Lord, thy Virgin be, 
But, my Lord, I am not free ! 

Does her sweet Spouse love her sigh ? 
Love to hearken in His sky, 
To that sweetest silent cry ? 

Pensive leaned a-down to think, 
Pitcher rested on the brink, 

Thirsting so to stay with God, 
Courting so His threatened rod, 
Leaned so meek upon that fountain-sod, 

Looking straight up to His sky, 
In her trouble clung so nigh. 

I think He sees ; for the air 
Takes a stillness everywhere, 
As an adorative breath in prayer, 

Hushed to sweetness, or to silence, 
Nature waiting God in reverence : 

And when all was still, and stood 
As the recess of a voiceless wood, — 
Nature waiting God in Nature's mood, — 



Mystical Rose Bride. 213 

As a calm when God is there, 
Mary heard His answer in the air. 

Near the well the Heavenly Word 
Yet unborn had spoken, Mary heard, 
All her soul within her peaceful stirred. 

* Thou must leave my hallowed House, 
I will veil thee with a spouse ; 

' He shall be to thee my peace, my truth * 
Heaven knows thy virgin worth : 
For thy dear vow fear no ruth.' 



PART III. 
MYSTICAL ROSE BRIDE. 

"Rosa ftlnstka, ova pro nobis." 

u Habens odorem spei." 

Who is she that cometh out from her cell 

To her spousals ? "The Queen loveth judgment, 

Who can praise her beauty ?" Let the saints try : 

"A bright and luminous stem whereon has never bsen either the knot of 
original sin, or the bark of actual transgression." — St. Ambrose. 

"The day-cloud which never knew darkness." — St. Jerome. 

u Cast your eyes upon the Son, and then judge what must have been the 
glory of the Mother." — St. Gregory, Tope. 



214 Rosa Immaculata. 

"Thou art more brilliant than the dawn, milder than the silvery moon, 
purer than the fresh-blown lily, whiter than the mountain snows, more grace- 
ful than the rose, more precious than the ruby, more chaste than the angels." 
— Erasmus. 

"Her soul revealed itself fully in her look." — St. Ambrose. 

Pure as the first-blown lily in Eclen, 

Just a spiritual bride for God in her veils, 

There she stands taking the ring — mystical ring ! 

No fire in her eye but the beams from the sky, 

Beautiful ! beautiful Mystical Rose Bride ! 

No blush-paint on her cheek but the glow of Heaven, 

Just a white rose in her leafage of gold ! 

And she was given by the law of Moses and Israel 

Unto the spouse God had chosen. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 



MARY AND NAZARETH AGAIN. 

" Consolairtx SUflictarttm, ova pro nobis." 

Scene — Anna's Cottage: Eleazer, with Asinus, saddled at the 
door ; Eleazer fitting a basktt of provisions to the saddle of the 
ass, Anna standing ly. 

Anna. 

How he pricks up his ears 
And blinks down his eyes ; 



Mary and Nazareth Again. 215 

I 'm certain he hears — 
He 's looking so wise. 

He knows why he 's bridled ; 

His coming will please her ; — 
All waiting and saddled ! 

God-speed thee, Eleazer. 

God speed thee ! bear my child back to me, 

My Mary and her new spouse. 
Tell her, her mother sits at the lattice ; 

Tell her there is room in Anna's house. 

(Eleazer departs?) 

Gone ! gone ! how can I wait four days more 

For the going, five for the coming ? 
Nine days more ! nine days more ! 

At my heart keeps humming. 

Eight days more ! sang dear Anna, 

Eight days ! seven days more ! 
Six days more ! sang dear Anna, 

Six days ! five days ! four ! 

The almahs are weaving 

A wreath for her hair ; 
Can they make with jewels 

A lily more fair ? 



2 1 6 Rosa Immaculata. 

The Spouse brings his silver and ring — 

O ! I wait so to know 
On whom will the priests 

The pearl of my bosom bestow ? 

God give her a spouse 

That is pious and wise, 
To whom she shall be 

As gold in his eyes ! 

Four days more ! sang dear Anna, 

Four days ! four ! three ! 
Two days more ! sang dear Anna, 

One day brings my Mary to me ! 

Oh ! the years are long without him, 
Hearing not his pleasant voice ; 

Three years ! it is long without Joachim, 
But my sorrow shall rejoice. 

Oh ! the years are long, seeing not his face ! 

But she comes to me to-morrow : 
Smiling in the old home-place, 

She shall kiss away my sorrow. 



Mary and Nazareth Again. z\j 



TO-DAY. 



Anna. 



(Fi'om her couch.) 



Is it night ? is it morning ? 

O, I cannot sleep ! sleep ? 
When to-morrow I may 

On her dear neck weep ! 

To-morrow ? No, it is to-day, 
To-day, my child is coming, — 

To-day, now ! To-day ! to-day ! 
At my heart keeps humming ! 

Joachim, forgive if I forget thee, 

Longing for our child, 
Longing for the clasping 

Of the maiden Mary, mild. 



(Watching from her casement.) 



O it seems the morning 

Never did so wait ! 
Never was so slow in dawning, 

Are the mornings getting late ? 

Dearest daughter, no she would not 
Make a waiting mother wait 



10 



2)3 Ro3A I.MMACULATA, 

No, her dear feet would not tarry 
Coming to the Nazareth-gate. 

I shall see her ere the moon does, 

Riding white Asinus, 
As a princess up the Nazareth-hill, 

She will soon be coming thus, 

With her bridegroom-spouse beside, — 
Who is he ? Who ? I ponder — 

God has given her a husband, who, 

For a mother, 't is so strange to wonder. 

Oh, Joachim ! hadst thou lived 

Our bride-daughter but to welcome ! 

She went forth and left a father : 
She will find none coming home ! 

But my sadness may not grieve her, 

I will smile for her dear sake, 
And her face the lonely lonesome 

From my cot may somewhat take. 

NOON. 

Anna. 

(JfaJcing 'preparations for Mary.) 

Bring the tender kid, good steward, 
I must haste and spread the feast, 



Mary and Nazareth Again. 219 

We shall see the coming of the bridegroom 
By an hour to night at least. 

Who are they come up the hill-path ? 

Huldah, damsel, look for me ! 
Mark the beast one rideth, is it white ? 

O, my sweet child ! can it be ? 

I am so afraid not ! 't is an hour, 

Two, three, before the time 
That I looked to see them coming 

Up the path of thyme. 

Yet, dear Anna, you Ve been standing — 

Coming — standing — coming — 
To that lattice every half-hour, to-day ! 

" To-day I" at your sweet heart humming. 

Lo, the beast is white one rideth 

And her raiment blue, — 
Mother-Anna ; she alighteth ! 

She is hastening up to you ! 



Anna. 



(Still embracing Mart.) 



Would thy father, child, had lived 
Only to this precious day ! 



220 Rosa Immaculata. 

Mid our joy, we still must 
For his dear soul think to pray. 



{Timing to welcome the bridegroom of Mary.) 



And thy spouse, — it is Joseph, 

As I live ! Now let the Lord 
Be praised ! who ne'er forgets 

The promise of His word. 

(Folding Mart again.) 

Beautiful is thy face to Anna ; come, 

Thou and thy dear spouse, 
With the kiss of welcome enter 

Into happy Anna's house. 

And Anna blessed Mary and Anna blessed Joseph 

Her spouse, and welcomed him and led Mary 

And Joseph into her house, and the banquet was spread 

For them, and the heart of the widow was consoled 

By the face of Mary and the face of her spouse. 

And Joseph being gone out, Mary conversed 

With Anna, and made known to her how her marriage 

Was of the Lord, all which edified Anna. 



Mary and Nazareth Again. 221 

Mary. 

(Mary showing her mother her nuptial-robe* and the sandals that 
Mical had for her ivrought, tulip-work in gold, and on azure for 
her betrothal.) 

All was so sweet to me, all .was so dear, 
Blame me not, mother, I wept while to come 
Even to you, mother, and my Nazareth-home : 
It was the House of my God, mother, 
I wept for to leave, 
Let it not a pious heart grieve. 

Anna. 

She that loveth God's House more than another, 
Loveth not less the nest of her mother. 

AFTERNOON WITH ANNA AND MARY. 

Anna has wept on the neck of her child, 
There 's a lull in her heart more calm. 

O, the sweetness of Mary hath ever beguiled, 
And pours to all sorrows a balm ! 



* " The ground was of a buff or nankeen color, interspersed with 
flowers of blue, violet, and gold. It is now the holy relic of Char- 
tres. ' ' — Nicepho rus. 



222 Rosa Immaculata. 

Mary. 

Sweet is the flower of home, . 

{Bending over Anna's lily) the first 
Mine eyes ever saw ! Ne'er let me roam ! 
[And the light of her eye the bloomage nurst, 

And so it had bloom 

For the cot and the tomb.] 

Mary. 

And my lattice-rose, 
How its beauty glows ! 
What's fairer than the bower 
Of my old wheel-flower ? 
The posts of the door 
Fragrant and more ! 

Said Mary, caressing 
The vinage entwining, 
Still the softest sighing, 
The softest sighing. 

She was thinking, each jasmine-star how the eyes of 

Joachim 
In living and dying had nursed them. 
She hath come to the door, the dear old Nazareth-door cf 

the past ; 
Alas ! for the oldenness, all that is dear cannot last ! 



Ma^y and Nazareth Again. 223 

Never may Nazareth be the old, simple Nazareth quite, 
With its flowers and its bees, 
And its patriarch under the trees, 

'T was a picture on the earth for the earth too bright ! 

There 's a vacant chair in the porch and an absence every- 
where ! 

Oh, never was sire or spouse so missed, as dear old Joachim 
there ! 

Home is not home when the home-saints are removed ! 

But Mary saw with that eye in her heart, 
That Eye beaming down from above, 

But Mary heard with that ear in her heart 
A whisper f my dove !' 'my dove !' 

' Daughter of Jesse, flower of the rod, 

' I am near !' ' I am near !' 
' I am thy Father, and thy Father is God I' 

*I am here!' 'I am here !' 

Anna. 

But I have a flower more fair to show — 
Come where the dearer flowers grow. 

/ nd Mary went down serene 

To the gardens of green. 

Over the threshold they crossed, 

Over the stone-way ancient and mossed, 



224 Rosa Immaculata. 

Down through the lanes, in through the gate 
Where the olden beds of Marv wait — 
Mnepsa and sage, lily and rose, 
The dearest that Syria grows. 

The dear old flowers ! 
There was the leafage of pink 
Where the honey-birds drink, 

And grapery bowers 

And pomegranate-trees 

A-glow in the breeze, 
And the fig-tree and lime, 

Palestine-bells of blue, 

DafFodels of daffbdel hue 
And the rosemary and thyme. 

Wandering amid the bloom of her gardens 

Serenely and blissful again, 
Breaks the voice of our,Anna as a fountain, — 

As a fountain breaks in refrain, — 
As a fountain disturbs not bathing the feet 
Of the flowers liquidly sweet, — 
I have a bed to show thee, my child, more dear ! 
So precious a bed never bloomed in preciousness here ! 
A bower — a flower — and a bed ! 
And down 'neath the shadow of trees, sweet Mary she led. 



Mary and Nazareth Again. 225 

Down to that nook far back we are told, 

Where she prayed for the birth of a daughter of old ; 

Down to that dearest of garden bowers 

Hedged in by the rock-way and flowers, — 

The old laurel it stood in the morning of rain ; 

Dear olden tree, we come down to your shadow again. 

'Tis a sacred spot 

And it shadows a grot — 
Grotto or cave in the rear — 
And Anna and Mary have entered here. 

There was a cave-room, 
Green was the floor, 
Green and turfed o'er, 
Violets grew thick at the door, 
Filling the eye with the depth of their bloom, 
Scenting the door of Joachim's tomb, 
Beautiful 
Vestibule 
Under the cypress, under the yew, 
Under the heavens a holier blue, 
Over that spot, 
Over that grot, 
Under the open Eye of God 

Guarding so tender that sacred sod. 
10* 



226 Rosa Immaculata. 

Vestibule green and turfed over and half-inclosed ; 

Within is a cave, and there is he buried 

And the door closed up, and the stone rolled against 

No man can move, and by the door stands 

A little black urn, and within the urn is a flower, — 

Mary was coming, but Anna forgot not 

The flower as wont that morning from the pot, 

By her wheel, — and a rose-tree grew up and hung 

Over the urn and over the stone that was rolled 

To the door of the tomb within, and the stone 

Was covered with myrtle and all of the sides 

Of the rock within, and by the entrance 

Grew many purple violets of Syria, 

And Anna had raised a pillar beside the urn, 

And the rose-tree that grew between the stone 

At the door and the pillar where Anna prayed now, 

Had been transplanted from Joachim's old prayer-place, 

And was the same as had suddenly bloomed 

That morning as the angel stood beside 

And promised the birth of Mary, and the tree 

Never lacked a rose for the grave of the saint ; 

And without the cave, most precious flowers bordered 

The paths leading down to the door, precious shrine ! 

But few days before he died, dear Joachim, 

I shall go first, good spouse, he said, bury 

Me then in the cave where by you go to pray ; 



Mary and Nazareth Again. 227 

That the dear child may come with you to weep, 

When she has come to the old Hill back. 

" The dear child " — and thus it was he always called 

Her, — the years had gone so fast since she was born, 

And she hath ever been so all the child 

And dear daughter, we would not hear him call 

Her but child, c dear child !' the word is sweet 

In an old man's lips, or in a holy man's — 

I love to hear my ghostly Father call 

Me child. I used to love to hear my mother call 

Me ' child ' — most when a woman. She is dead now. 

" May her soul rest in peace" and Anna for her pray ! 

We would not have heard Mary's sire call 

Her any thing but child, ' dear child !' It was 

Most sweet so. It was great to be the child 

Of Joachim. A great father is a gift 

From God — a godly father is a greater, 

And a great and godly father is the greatest. 

And every morning Anna came down to pray 

Before the tomb of her spouse, and in the afternoon 

When it was summer, there was a little seat 

Under the tree where she would sit for a time. 

When Anna and Mary came out from the cave 
It was evening, but the soreness had gone 
Out from the heart of Anna — Mary had come. 



2l3 ROSA Immaculata. 

And the heart of the mourner is consoled 
When the comforter cometh : When Mary 
Prayeth with us: — Sudden and cutting-off 
At a blow hast thou known a great sorrow 
And staggered out and found nothing so good 
As the fresh, thick crape shutting out the world 
Glaring down on you to see how you a Christian 
Could stand now, and the first day that had 
Any sky for you was when you could fly 
And drop at the Feet of God for the dead 
And the living, and all the day after lapsed 
So peaceful, insomuch you kept saying 
Perhaps to yourself, or a friend, a day 
Cannot be sorrowful that my dear Lord comes 
To me. O bles r ed, Blessed Saerarnmr-comfort ! 
Such in a measure was the presence of Man-, 
The odor of her virtues were so imparted. 

" Rose amid Thorns, Immaculate, pray for us." 

" Cause of our Hope, Immaculate," 

" Pillar of our Faith, Immaculate" 

" Source of Divine Love, Immaculate," 

"Splendor of all Saints, Immaculate, pray for us" 



Midnight-Noon. 229 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 



MIDNIGHT-NOON. 



"Scmct.i Pei (Pcnitrte, ova pro 110515." 



" And that dear Dove-Spouse hovered betwixt Heaven and Mary, hovered, 
■waited, hovered — waiting impatient ' that midnight-noon.' 



ND Anna kept the feast yet seven days, 

But the leading of Mary by Joseph to his house, 
According to a ceremony among the Jews, 
Was not done : And after these days it came 
That Mary was at prayer in her oratory, 
Or chamber, and the chamber extended 
Into the side of the hill whereon the house 
Of Anna was built, wherein a cave was hollowed 
Out from the rock ; and the cave communicated 
Likewise with the garden, and there was a fountain 
Of cool water in the cave that emptied 
Itself into a channel in the rock and flowed 
To the gardens ; and near to the mouth, the floor 
Of the cave was of earth and trees grew there : 



23° Rosa I.\::.:a:llata. 

ff A little garden grotto where 

Gray jutting rock and tree and ilow'ret fair 

The quaintest alcove form."* 

She knelt at the twilight, and she knew not 
.As she prayed but that it was th' twilight still : 
" But whilst all things were in quiet silence, 
And the night in the rniis: of" her course, 
Thy Almighty word leaped down from Heaven 
From Thy royal Throne, ,: f 

" And lo, a light 
" That cast no shadow round about her shone, 

" and she bent her head .... 

" Till with the deepening glow there came the rush 
" Of wings and fragrance from the Mount of God ; 

" And seeing not she felt 

" That Gabriel was near.* 

"Hail Mary:" 

"ilia to; Cljvisti, era pro nobis." 



An angel came to Mary with 
A iilv in his hand, 



* Rosa Mysiica. p. IS. f TVlsdcm xviii. 14. 

+ The Sleep of Miry.— Seobgs H. Miles' Ave Marin vol. iL p. 3S9. 



MiDNIGHT-NoCN. 2% 1 

And ever since the cherubim 

Have watched for her command. 

The grass it was at midnight green 

Upon the holy Hill ; 
The birds saw it, the sheep, the kine, 

Yet for the awe were still. 

What was it at the midnight so 

Illumed the mountain-sod ? 
Was it the feet of Gabriel, or 

A light rained down from God ? 

Our Maid Immaculate as mute — 

As stricken in the light — 
Unrisen from her vesper up, 

And marvellous as night. 

It was at midnight as a flush, 

The last, stole up the sky, 
A flush came over her pure heart 

In sweet thought raised more high. 

The Unimagined Face one beam 

Upon her spirit shed, 
The Unbegotten Babe had toward her looked, 

Her heart upon it fed ; 



232 Rosa Immaculata. 

And so she knelt; — she could not rise, 

She could not quite divine, 
But deepened in a sea of prayers and si^hs 

Since that last flush did shine. 

*T was near the midnight as she prayed 

In prone humility this grace, 
Messiah's mother's nursing-maid to be, 

So she might see His face. 

" O let me kiss her blessed feet 

Who bosoms the Divine !" 
'T was midnight, yet as day the night 

Did round the Virgin shine. f 

An angel stood beside, within 

His hand a lily-rod, 
Three lilies, luminous and white, 

A sceptre sent from God. 

That minister fresh from th' Court of Heaven* 
Looked in her humble face 



* Mark with, what respect, even reverence, the minister plenipo- 
tentiary of God, the great Archangel Gabriel, treats her in the inter- 
view which he held with her by command of God ! He does not ad- 
dress her as an inferior, or even as an equal, but as a superior ! 
He measures not his words by the cold canons of modern eulijht- 



Midnight-No on. 233 

And told the greeting sent from God, 
" Hail Mary, full of grace !" 

And held the sceptre out. She looked 

Within one fragrant cup, 
The Father's benediction rose 

As incense from it up ; — 

She bowed her virgin head, — sure God 

Had made a humble choice : 
He loves to lift the humble up — 't is best : 

tc Behold," — meek breathed her voice — - 

The second blossom in — that smile 

That hastened down this grace, 
Her heart had gone so up for it — 

The sweetness of that Face. 



ened Christianity. lie is courteous in his address to the humble 
Virgin of the house of David; his words breathe the greatest re- 
spect and admiration for her exalted position and pre-eminent 
merits; he compliments and eulogizes her, to her very face, as 
never was man or woman eulogized and complimented by Almighty 
God before, neither has been since. It is something to be com- 
plimented by God Himself, through His own special envoy ; the 
words of God are true, unexaggerated, and they abide for evermore ! 
Most evidently, the Archangel Gabriel was a plain going Catholic 
of the olden type. — Archbishop Spaulding — Introduction to Ave 
Maria, vol. i. 



234 Rosa Immaculata. 

And in the third dear chalice lay 

A spousal ring from God : 
The angel held the sceptre out; encalmed 

She touched the triune-rod. 

And scarce had finished in her calm, 
" The Handmaid of the Lord/ 1 

A ray shot from the Throne, she was 
The sweet Vase of the Word. 

That right old-fashioned Catholic 

Bowed to the very floor, — 
He saw the flash, and first of earth 

Or Heaven, bent to adore. 

The open Heavens above her stood, — 

Transfigured on the sod, 
The reverent Angel saw 

The Mother of his God. 

And God incarnate in the flesh 

At Mary's feet adored, 
Where Mary's children with the angels since 

Have adorations poured. 

"Hail Mary, Jid I of grace." 



Midnight-Noon. 235 

With God that Babe, that unclothed Word 

The Heavens o'errun, all space 
It filled and sought more room 
And found it in a virgin's womb ! 

All glory to His grace ! 
All adoration to His Clothed Word ! 

O "Sancta Dei Genitrix !" high praise! 

Lost praise ! lost in the glory of thy state, 
Woman who clothed the unclothed Word ! Maiden of God ! 
At thy en-glory-sandalled feet we pour and wait : 
" Dominus tecum /" 
And it was done : 
Show us Thy Son ! 
" Holy Mother of God !" 

(Nor richer line were ever read) 
* f Holy Mother of God," 
Sweet graces to oar spirits shed ! 

11 Ave Maria, gratia plena ; Dominus tecum : benedicla tu in mu~ 
licribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater 
Dei, ora pro nobis, peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostras. 
Amen.'' 1 

" Virgo veneranda, Virgo prccdicanda.'" 

" Mater Creatoris, Mater Salvatoris." 

" Turris Davidica" " Regina Sanctorum omnium, ora 
pro nobis" 



236 Rosa Immacdtata. 

CHAPTER XL. 

I N CAINATIO N -MONTHS. 

"Domus surra, oro pre nobis/ 

PART I. 

HZ mysteries of godliness infold : 



T 



Its court inclosed, its fountain sealed, 
A House within a hidden field, 
Fro." base :o tower of virgin gold. 

Every recsss of the field "as a garden 
Seen at dawn ;" "a celestial dew 
Rests on every thing we see," 
Every fair and fruited tree, 
Every shrub, every flower, — walking through, 
Or around, Gabriel keeping ward in, 

Or keeping ward of, of the mystic 
" House of Gold," 

Radiant as the morning more, 
As the orien: gates unfold — 

Gabriel before its door. 

And flowers wreathe its precious casement 

Tha: never smell of sin, 
And its windows are a diamond, 

God only, looking in. 



Incarnation-Months. 237 

' And its chambers ?' Only one, 
As the moon — as the sun ? 

'And the fixtures, and the garniture 
Of this golden chamber in a golden glow ?' 
But a couch, as a cloud with rain 
Drifted o'er the sun, turned into a rainbow. 

' And the couch ?' 
A bed of mystic spices, curtained mystically, around, above : 

' x'lnd its curtains ?' 
And the curtains of this couch are love : 

f And the lamp V 
And the lamp that lights this chamber 
Is the smile of God unborn : 

' And the watch ?' 
Doth the heart of Mary hold, 
Lady of the House of Gold, — 
Through the windows as a diamond, 

God only, looking in, 
The Father ever gazing on the growing features of His Son. 
' Domus aurea, or a pro nobis.' 

From that midnight-noon, and till the third day, 
Anna and Joseph, visited souls, likewise, 
Walked as in vision ; — God's one dear handmaiden. 
In clay-humility prone to the earth, 



2j3 RcSA LlMACULATA. 

In soul raised to the Throne, some have supposed, 

Or imagined in an ecstasy lav, "Living Ark 

Of the body of Christ, immaculate!" 

But unto us Mary our Ark and House of Gold 

Rather appeareth but a world more recollect, 

Rapt, bright, O, so heavenly resplendent humility ! 

The Tower of Ivory suddenly illuminated ! 

And Anna and Joseph move serenely 

Around her beautifully familiar, 

Like figures in some Heavenly drama 

Around a mystery, intuitively reverent ; 

A part of the shine on all their garments, 

A part of the heavenliness in tneir faces. 

'•SAIXT A2CXA, CLOUD OF LIGIiT, PEAT FOE TS." 

Admirable Anna ! venerable Anna ! 

Unconsciously so near the Messiah — 

So near the Messiah-King of her people, 

Meek Anna ! Grand-Mother to God, and don't 

Know it ! We love to watch her. Amiable Anna, 

Unconsciously giving her child to a mission 

For Jesus ! — She is wanting Elisabeth to see 

Her now — to see all her full-blown virtues, so will 

Elisabeth help her love Mary, — she feels 

She cannot enough ; a want many a heart 

Hereafter may know. f But stay not long,' she said 



Incar-Nation-Mdnths. 239 

As she kissed her, and Mary departed ; 

And the heart of Anna went straight out 

After her footsteps and yearned for the returning; 

But when Mary came not back for many days, 

And it was told unto her that Elisabeth 

Will be a mother, it pleased her Mary 

Should stay and console her kinswoman now, 

For she was stricken in years and might have fear. 

Was it not generous ? for when she came back, 

Put not she her arms around her and cried, 

'You go no more from me while I may live !' 

And she did not; but was it not generous 

To give her up three of those precious months ? 

Three of those God-months, of those incarnation-months? 

Three months so precious that were the sweet lives 

Of all saints condensed to three months they would 

Not make such ; and yet she loved the neighbor 

And so yielded. 

And Mary departed, we have said : 
Joseph would go up to Bethlehem, and Mary 
Arose up " with haste," saith the Gospel, to go 
Up unto Elisabeth her cousin in Hebron, 
And Joseph was joyful to accompany Mary ; 
But he himself went up straightway from Ain 
Unto Bethlehem, where he continued many days, 
And these days Mary abode with Elisabeth 



240 Rosa Immaculata. 

And made her heart glad: And on the morrow 

When she would return unto Anna, it came 

While yet she walked at sunrise in the gardens 

Of Zachary, one came to her with, tidings 

That the child of Elisabeth was born, 

And Mary hastened in to rejoice with Elisabeth. 

The child being swathed, the nurse placed it first 

In the arms of its father, according to custom, 

And straightway he that was dumb spake ; 

Zachary lifted up his voice and blessed the child 

That was born unto him and gave him to Mary. 

Was n't that beautiful ? Zachary, the priest, 

Giving his Babe-Prophet into the arms 

Of Mary ? Is it any wonder John stands 

So high in Heaven, son of Zachary and Elisabeth, 

Kinsman of Anna, Joachim, Mary, Jesus ? 

Sanctified herald of the unborn Jesus ! 

And Mary touched her lips fragrant with God 

To the lips of the child and the babe leaped, 

And. Mary ravished with joy blessed the babe. 

She holds him to her virginal heart pregnant 

With the Messiah, — Elisabeth overlooking 

From her couch, radiant with prophecy. 

" What is it to me ?" — Elisabeth soft murmuring — 

" That the Mother of my Lord should unto me come !" 



Incarnation-Months. 24 1 

PART I!, 

And now consider Mary returning to Nazareth, 
"Brooding upon that thing of light 
That in her bosom lay " — serene ever 
And alway in God. Imagine the days 
Allotted unto Anna while the mystery 
Of Heaven before her moved in its veil off-shut, 
Yet so half-luminous — so shone in Mary's face 
And trembled in her voice : And Anna lived 
Two lives upon that verge of hidden life : 
One of that sensible sweetness near Jesus, 
Something as walking — standing — knelt — we may 
The Tabernacle near, some day come to know, 
And one of a foreboding and a doubt, 
And desolateness colder than the grave. 
We have upon her looked at midnight in,* 
That night the crisis of her grief, and saw 
A saint in cloud over whose brow the crown 
Hangs ready to fall, and did recollect 
All whom Jesus loves and comes near to must 
Need suffer some ; it is His own dear mark, 
All who Jesus heir must weep until the cloud 
Unfolds — so unfolded hers — we remember 
The scene, Mary coming to her mother 's room 



* Consecration Night. — Rosa Mystica. Book i. chap. v. 
11 



2.1.2 Rosa I.mmaculata. 

At midnight, Anna alone by her hearthstone — 
We remember the dialogue of Anna and Mary. 

" Her eye 
Ran o'er the form that 'twixt her and the lamp 

In wane inhaloed by a growing light 

In wondrous beauty hall-draped stood," 

" And straight the peace that fell was like a cloud 

Of love. The spreading halo filled the room. 

As Martyr Stephen saw 

The heavens unroll and open on his view, 

So pious Anna upward looked and saw 

The Mother of Messias at her feet." 

"SA.IXT A3T3TA, CLOTTD OF BRIGHTNESS, P2AT FOE tTS." 

And Mary has arisen in her sereneness, 

So like the moon rounded and fair over the face 

Of the world down below so full of sorrow : 

Mary has arisen in her bright calm and crone 

To her chamber in the rock. And Anna 

Went to her couch as in vision or dream, 

And the stars have numbered off on the face 

Of their clock another hour for Time, and Anna 

Never thinks to sleep, blissfullest mother ! 

Sleep ! Sleep ! Mary's asleep ! ' Blessed child ! let 

Her sleep,' ' God is with her, let her sleep !' — ' God !' 



Incarnation-Months. 243 

' Sleep with God !' ■ Wonderful !' ' O, wonderful !' 
f O Israel ! whose God has come so nigh !' 
Another hour is measured off for God 
And Eternity : Sleep, Mother-Anna ! 

Nay, sleep cannot come unto Anna this night ; 

Nay, sleep can come to Anna no more ; 
She has passed the borders of sleep, all, all is too bright ! 

The need of all sleep, O, blissful ! is o'er. 
She has caught a glimpse and a look, a very sweet look, into 

the land 
Where sleep clogs never or darkens the views of the lumi- 
nous strand. 

The kiss of Mary is sweet on her cheek — dear cheek ! 

It will lie there as perfume and dew till she has fled ; 

For she is fleeing — her soul is going out — going out soon, 
her spirit so meek, 

All unafraid walking out into the paths of the dead 

Calmly and beautiful. Saintly Anna, the mystical, sorrow- 
ful, brightened night 

Is no more night unto her for the growing around her of 
light. 

Such a spiritual shine over, around, on the mantel and wall, 
On the wheel standing yet banded there on the floor — 



244 Rosa Immaculata. 

She left it last night for her tears unheeding, — she heeds little 

now at all — 
She has done all her spinning. O, the light through the 

door ! 
And her soul as a moonbeam, going out to follow, a-gleam j 
Going out as in a dream — a sort of forever dream. 

She heard in the night — ' What was it she heard ?' 

It called her to come, and she heard the call — 

' Whose was the voice that the night-tides stirred ?' 

And the glow spread as it called, in the room over all. 

He calls me, said Anna, and I must go ! — must go ! 

? I must go !' was her beautiful echo, her beautiful echo. 

Nor other voice heard she, but her lips grew still, her face 

strangely brighter, — 
Nor the shadow of ghost flitted by, nor the face of an angel, 
But the soul-road her face turned to, and suddenly whiter, 
Her spirit walked out as a fearless evangel, 
And the room as she passed, stood round her left body all in 

a glow, 
And the lily in the pot wavered and burned as a crucible 

ready to flow. 

• 

And a lane opens up — a ghostly lane-way of light, 
And she walks the ghost-way looking bright before, 
And the farther on she goes, the brighter around her grows 
a robe of light, 



Incarnation-Months. 245 

Till she comes up and knocks — pauses and knocks, at the 

Limbus door : 
Whitest spirit, scarcely had she touched the portal when it 

opened, when it let her in — 
On the threshold who was waiting, who was waiting in the 

vestibule within ? 

And he clasped her, and his robes, whiter than the snow, 

grew whiter, 
And his welcome, what was it not to her ? blessed welcome ! 
And the vestibule and the halls, all the halls of the ' dead, 

grew brighter, 
She had brought such haloes in with her to her Limbus 

home, 
And the brightness of their faces flashed up to the skies, 
And the angels gathered in the sweetness of their presence 

rare surprise. 

In the vestibule of ghost-land, dearest, waiting Joachim, hap- 
piest entered Anna, 

All the brightly opened heavens, rapt intent, overhead un- 
rolled, 

All the angel-wings and faces canopied above them as a 
banner, 

All the patriarchs on the angel-outskirts hanging as a fold, 

Dearest human ancestors to Heaven, something as two shades 
in a glow supernal, 



246 Rosa Immaculata. 

Shades not substances, yet as light, themselves white in the 
light eternal ! 

Leaning thus in the glory, leaning thus on the breast of 

Joachim, 
Happy Anna told it first in Limbus, all the fathers listening, 

told it first to him. 

' God hath come to us, sweet spouse, 
To our house and not another, 
And that dear child born to us 
In our old age is a mother.' 

' And her virgin-robe is white, 
Favored of the Infinite ! 
And her Babe, unborn yet, God hath shown 
Is the Heir of that Upper Throne. * 

Here she lifted up her hands, • ■ 

Here she lifted up her eyes 
To the opened, overbent, 

To the hearkening skies, — 

' Is the heir of that lifted Throne ! 

When was ever wonder known ? 
Who before hath ever heard of the friendship of the Loid ? 
Who before hath ever reaped of the promise of His word ? 

Who can ever now receive ? 

Hearken Limbus and believe !' 



Incarnation-Months. 247 

Limbus hearkened and believed — 
Heard that Mary had conceived. 
■ In my doubting as I prayed, lo His heavens unrolled to 

me ! 
'T is the Virgin I' sighed Isaiah bending near, ' 't is the 

Virgin of my prophecy !' 
' 'T is the woman,' sobbed expectant Eve, 
Who shall bear the Fruit to heal the wound for which I 

grieve, 
'T is the woman who shall bring my conqueror defeat ! 
[ was once immaculate, so is she and more ! Her victori- 
ous heel, 
He who ruined all our Eden, soon his bruised head shall 
feel.' 

Then the patriarchs, grand and very ghostly, lifted up their 

brows, 
Waiting now in hope, nearer hope, all the fathers, and 

thanked God 
For His love about to flower on the stalk of Jesse's Rod, 
For the dear Branch coming forth from Joseph,* from his 

spreading boughs, 
Then they blessed their son and daughter, Joachim and his 

spouse ; 



* See Jacob's prophecy where he blesses Joseph in dying. 
Genesis. 



2^3 Rosa Immaculata. 

7:: :h::r offerings, fin their uiayeis, and most foi :h. : lear 

Hcpe cf their house : 
Then they sat down at their feet talking sf Messiah, — 

Abraham, Adam, haac, Jacob, Jesse, David. ana Isaiah, 
Meses, Aaron, and the three who scorned the furnace, 

x> anie., 
And Elias, and those others that it fails me now to tell, — 
With those holy m::ne:s, Mjses' mother, Samuel's, and the 

mother of the Maccabees with her seven waiting to 

adcre, 
All that longed 2nd looked for the opening of the Heavenly- 
door, 
Fathei Abraham's Bosom it was brighter than before, 
And in Lirr.bas there was light &om that hour evermore. 
Blessed Joachim ! blessed A and they never ceased to 

:-:and and pray. 
And i: se:.r.ea bat a: a day :: the tracking of that blessed 

_ e: hi eh em-way. 
Hark the prayers of those saint-rarents from the gates of 

Limbos in the vescer 
Of" :ha: sei:-:ame Christ-tide, stealing out as a whiscer — a 

preva ling whisper, 
" Let the heavens drop down dew and the earth expectant 

bud Messiah !"' 



Incarnation-Months. 249 

Happy Saint Anna ! happy Saint Joachim ! made worthy 
of God to be the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and 
immediate ancestors of the Messiah — Grand-Parents of 
Jesus ! Anna was buried by the side of her spouse in the 
cave. — Feast of St. Anna, July 26. 

"Let us all rejoice and celebrate this festival in honor of blessed 
Anna ; on whose solemnity the angels rejoice, and praise the Son 
of God. My heart hath uttered a good word : I speak my words 
to the King, '0 God, who by Thy grace wast pleased to choose 
blessed Anna to be the mother of the Virgin Mary ; mercifully 
grant that we, who celebrate her festival, may be helped by her 
prayers to Thee.' ' Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity. 
Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of glad- 
ness. Alleluia, Alleluia. Grace is poured abroad in thy lips; 
therefore hath God blessed thee forever.' ' The daughters of kings 
honor thee, the queen was on thy right hand in a robe of gold, 
surrounded with variety." — Roman Missal. 

" Feast of Saint Joachim, in the Sunday of the Oc- 
tave of the Assumption, by decree of Pope Clement XII." 

"He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor; his justice 
remaineth forever and ever ; his seed shall be mighty upon earth ; 
the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. 0, Joachim! holy 
husband of Anna, father of the holy Virgin, obtain for us in this 
life what is necessary for our salvation. Thou hast crowned him. 
Lord, with glory and honor, and hast set him over the works of 
Thy hands. Favorably receive, most merciful God, the sacrifice 
offered to Thy majesty, in honor of the holy patriarch Joachim, 
father of the Virgin Mary; that by the intercession of him, of his 
spouse, and of their blessed daughter, we may obtain pardon . . . 
and eternal glory. This is the faithful and prudent servant whom 
the Lord hath placed over his family to give them their meat in duo 
season." — Missal. 



250 Rosa Immaculata. 

"The cultus of Saint Joachim and Saint Anna is very ancient in 
the East. The Greeks celebrate the memory of Saint Anna three 
times a year : thus, September 9, ' The just and holy progenitors of 
God, Joachim and Anna;' December 9. 'The conception of Saint 
Anna, mother of the Mother of God ;' and July ] 5, ' Death of 
Saint Anna, mother of the Mother of God.' — Myology of Faint 
Sahbas. Pope Julius I. is believed to have instituted the feast of 
Saint Joachim, on the 20th of March, about 1510. — Calmet. Jus- 
tinian I., about 550, erected a beautiful church at Constantinople in 
honor of Saiut Anna, believed by some to be the mother of the 
Blessed Virgin. — Procopius. Justinian II., about 750, erected a 
church also to Saint Anna, whose body was translated to Con- 
stantinople during his reign. — Condimus. The body of Saint Joa- 
chim is said to be preserved at Yenice."' — Binet. 

And we know not, indeed, where we might pause in noting 
the growth, of this efficacious and precious devotion, but we 
must fain content ourself with but the mention at this pres- 
ent time of one other memorial to the dear parents of our Im- 
maculate Mother, than which is none more tender, ingenious, 
and poetical, namely, that of Pope Leo III., who had, we 
find, about the year 800, the life of Saint Joachim and 
Saint Anna worked on a vestment ; a more sacred place than 
any poor book in which to have written it. "What priest 
would not have said mass in such a vestment ? What child 
of the Church would not have assisted more recollect and 
devout ? 

Blessed be God for Saint Joachim and Saint Anna! 

" O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have 
recourse to you." " By thy immaculate and pure concep- 
tion, make our bodies pure and our hearts holy. Amen." 













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Treatment Date: Sept. 2009 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 

111 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724)779-2111 




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